The Newcastle United Blog

228 responses so far ↓

• 1 ToonEskimo // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:04

  morning ed…

• 2 matthewT // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:09

  from the beginning, i have no idea why dennis wise this position is needed …

• 3 magmick // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:09

  wots going on at newcastle? we the fans need some answers. It cant be good for the morale of the squad all this speculation rumours and stories flying about. If it is true that owen barton and smith were put up for sale late on monday and they had gone what would we of done with our squad when we saw how small it was against arsenal when we had a couple of injuries.We need some answers

• 4 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:12

  keegan has to be in total control of first team affairs,if hes not it will never work,ashley must realise this now,or where in the soup,,wise must go he has cused mayhem at the club but we all knew he would..

• 5 Bill F Ash Didn't Splash :( // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:13

  I don’t think we will know anything till KK himself decides to make a statement. Anything he does say could be coloured by compensation terms, thats assuming the worst and he has walked. So it could be some time, if ever, that we get the full story. It does seem to be one of those moments where Occams razor can be applied however.

• 6 ToonEskimo // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:13

  If this is the case I doubt KK will be back as he’s a man of principle, I guess he’ll hanker for the “mutual consent” deal. To be honest it looks like he’s been used as a pr pawn throughout his term with most his press conferences being somebody else’s words with Wise and his cronies running the club in the background.
  KK’s not comfortable lying to the fans so I think he’ll be off

• 7 Mark-O // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:14

  God only knows whats going on here lads!!!

  If Ashley hasn’t backed Keegan then he has broken his word (i’m aware that means nothing in football today!!)

  If Keegan couldnt attract the players here then its either Joey Bartons image tarnishing the club or the boards decision not to put up the cash for wages.

  I hope to god he doesnt go and gets some loan signings in before that window shuts, then permanent deals in Jan.

  I’m not gonna jump to any conclusions until a statement has been made!!!

  Until then i’ll still be walking in a Keegan wonderland (all be it without a sense of direction)

• 8 JakartaDean // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:14

  Who thinks we need Dennis Wise?

• 9 Nick C // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:14

  I HAVE IT ON EXCELLENT AUTHORITY THAT KK WAS AT ONE POINT YESTERDAY ASKED TO LEAVE. WHAT HAPPENED SINCE THAT TIME REMAINS UNCLEAR….

• 10 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:14

  who reckons ashley and wise wil be at the hull game…

• 11 lesh // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:16

  Mike Ashley’s in avery difficult positon here. He appointed Kevin and the club’s so-called Board - including an Executive Director (football) who Alex Ferguson once said would start a fight in an empty room. Not a very bright appointment!

  On top of that, an MD who presides over a board that’s based in and operates from London, 300 miles from operations - again, not very bright moves. Appointing him’s akin to putting King Herod in charge of a creche!

  They in turn, appear to have bought and influenced the sale of players without due reference to the Manager.

  OK, Kevin’s his own man and he clearly needs to be carefully managed and moreso, involved in operational management.

  Difficuly for Ashley - how to save face in the turmoil of a backlash which featured on national TV news, along with the economy, Iraq, the USA.

  How does Ashley get out of this mess?

  He needs to save face, save the faces of his so called board who may have acted at times without reference to him, and retain the services of a potentaily great manager. All that without being seen to have climbed down to his demands. But how?

  Llambetis (or whatever his name is) is leaving, wouldn’t it be an opportunity to for him to be called away on a family matter or something.

  Similarly, perhaps Wise’s talents could be used elsewhere in Ashley’s empire? Hmmm, tricky! What am I driving at? Get the MD and Executive Director (Football) out of circulation and give Kevin a way back. It’s a bloody mess and it needs to be sorted… quick.

  Notice the way it’s all gone belly up since Mort moved on?

  Kevin, you need to think constructively too and toe the line a bit. Kevin, within reason, go along with whatever’s offered. You’ve got to save face, not be seen to have won (Ashley’d never go with that and you know it) and most of all, get your backside back where you belong - people have alot of faith in you Kevin, don’t let em down.

• 12 JMC // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:17

  You may have already read this but there’s another interview about Keegan on sky sports with that Bevan guy from the LMA: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4089291,00.html

  I wonder what all the ‘issuses that need ironing out’ are?

  Ed, could you shed some light in another thread?

• 13 Simon // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:21

  What a disgrace. Newcastle is agian the laughing stock of the premier league. You try to stay positive as a fan even throughout a realatively insucessful transfer window, but even now when the manager doesn’t have faith in how the club is run how can we? So annoying, the squad may be small, however it will function as a top half contender under Keegan. Without him at the helm, we will be staring relegation in the face and back to square one again. You have to wonder who is to blame here, lets see how much more smoke is blown up our arse before we actually get some real information and clarification.

• 14 Ian // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:23

  Let us all get one thing straight, Newcastle United is not the laughing stock of the premiership, Mike Ashley is.

  Employing mates to run a £200m business who have little or no experience!!!

  Bringing them in to an industry where the employees who put fans in their seats and move the club up the table increasing media revenue are top of the food chain, everyone has to fall in behind managers and players who can do this.

  That is why the likes of Jose and Ferguson as managers and Drogba, Berbatov and Ronaldo wield so much power and why multi billionaires tolerate and bow to their demands.

  Because football is in every single paper and on every TV in the land an individual has to be deaf blind and stupid not to know this.

  Keegan filled the stadium and moved the club up the table, that is called doing your job properly, he is of number one importance to the club, he is in such an unbelievable high pressure job everything at the club must be structured to assist him with this work, how can anyone fail to know this is the only way to run a premiership club, never mind a succesful one???

  Beyond belief.

• 15 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:23

  bevans says keegan is worried the way the club is being run and for the fans,lads the club is in a reet mess,the only way for ashley to save face in my opinon is to sell up..but one thing is for sure he has to act now sell up or give wise the sack and let keegan have total control of the first team affairs

• 16 Taiwantoon // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:23

  Picture of DW on the blog front page is making me really sick…I can no longer stand seeing him every time I visit here.

  KK is the King and MA should realise this.

• 17 toonoot // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:24

  Bil @ 5: Not to be confused with the Sword of Democles

• 18 Ericles // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:25

  KK has got to have full managerial control. If Ashley really wants KK as manager then he has got to get rid of Wise and send away Llambias to do some gardening until he too leaves. The mr Mike we the fans, in cooperation with KK and the players, will show you how to run a football club properly. NUFC is not a sportswear shop and the sooner you get that into your head the better. You saw the protests yesterday - well we have got thousands more from where they came from! SUPPORT KK ALL THE WAY. HOWAY.

• 19 TerryMacsPerm // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:26

  If Keegan goes which I now am praying he will not. Mr Ashley, Llambias, Wise etc will have to follow there is now no way they can stay Wise and Llambias especially because by all accounts they are the two who have been the catlyst for this. Ashley either needs to accept full responsibility for being chairman and let Keegan get on with the job of managing or he needs to sell up cos his current way of doing things is tearing this club apart

• 20 ronaldeano // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:28

  If this whole fiasco dosent tell Mike Ashley that running a football club is an incredibly different kettle of fish than running a sport shop, he is even more of a mong than what i first took him for.

  If it is true that he tried to sell OWEN (of all people) and Barton behind Keegans back, then what does that tell you?

  This bloke Mike Ashley, and i have been saying it for months, is an extreemly greedy man indeed.

  If he has any sense, he will admit that when he purchased a club as huge as the great Newcastle United, he got way in over his fat little head.

  Hopefully he will see the light and sell up to a big company that wants to invest money in taking the club forwards, not backwards

• 21 King-Habib // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:31

  Arabs, anyone?

  

• 22 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:36

  one thing is for sure with yesterdays uproar keegan holds all the aces,the board must of sh!t themselves when they seen the toon army oot in force..

• 23 Cockney Magpie // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:37

  i would love a set of Arabs right now, jus to sit back give Kev the money and let him run the show

• 24 AdamCF // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:38

  All I can say is when something happens at Newcastle it’s always spectacular.

• 25 AdamCF // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:40

  Just remember guys.. if Keegan resigns he has to cough up 1mil. This is why everyone close to it have said that he hasn’t been sacked.

• 26 Slam Dunc // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:42

  The issue here is a very simple one and easy to fix:

  http://www.trophy4toon.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=473.0

  So come on Ashley, sort it out !!

• 27 clinta // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:43

  it’s over with KK i think? If he does an about turn and remains at the club it’s hardly going to work well the relationship between him and the board, and lets face it the board are going to do most things the way the want to!

  can’t see them changing the whole system (whether right or wrong) they’ve put in place to keep KK happy?

• 28 Desmond - FootballMeeting.com // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:44

  Newcastle is getting crazier and crazier.

  First no signings to cover the leftback and etc.

  Now rumors about KK’s resignation.

  People are laughing at us.

• 29 shearer4pm // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:45

  liverpool are gettin arabs too now
  

  english owners are over rated

  haha

  VERY overrated

  bin laden’s brother ne1??

• 30 shearer4pm // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:46

  if people remember duff played very well at left back a bit in his debut season, and zog

  not saying this is acceptable cus it aint but if push comes to shove

• 31 Baldynapper // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:47

  Do you not think that MA hired DL in the Managing Director position in order to give him a wage so trhat in a back handed way he could pay back some of his gambling debts?

  Seems strange to me that DL comes in stays for literally a few months then nicks off. I know the same happened with Mort but at least from the start everyone knew that he was only here for a year to broker the deal and to get the club on “a level footing”.

  Job’s for the boy’s stinks and Ash is suffering for it now.

• 32 hadrian // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:48

  Llambias seems to have had a large part in this considering we have never heard from the guy .
  i miss mort , we at least heard from him and he always came across well

• 33 Bill F Ash Didn't Splash :( // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:48

  AdamCF, I think he will be going down the constructive dismissall route and will in fact be claiming compensation rather than paying anything back.

• 34 toonoot // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:51

  Ian @ 13: That’s the most sensible item I’ve read these past two days. Well said.

• 35 Milner // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:52

  http://www.petitiononline.com/DWMANUFC/petition.html

• 36 ronaldeano // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:55

  Ahley will sell up, because whatever happens now, he has lost all support of the fans.

  He said he bought this club to have some fun?

  Well its not going to be much fun from now on Mike eh!!!!

  Ive said it millions of times before and il say it again

  “Get lost Mike you fat, greedy, penny pinching MONG”

• 37 Mark-O // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:55

  I’d just love to see a chairman who backs the manager both publicly and in the transfer market and stands by the decisions that manger makes!!

  Ashley has got all the right qualities, well… i say that… i mean he has a fat wallet, but he needs to realize that this club is’nt a toy!!!

  Like i said before im gonna reserve my judgement until an offical statement has been made!

• 38 The Entertainers // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:55

  I know the source of the bad luck at SJP:

  It is Mike Ashley’s shirts.!!!!

  Firstly he wore the black n white shirt with Smith on the back and he couldnt hit a barn door now.

  Next it was Kev and the rest is history….

  Be worried Coloccini, be very worried…

• 39 Slam Dunc // Sep 3, 2008 at 9:58

  Brilliantly said Ian at comment 13.

  Running a Premier League club is very simple. Ask Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger.

  Get the best manager you can, give him total control of football matters, give him as much money as you can afford to invest in the team.

• 40 steve // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:00

  What a shambles, Wise and Llambias must obviously take a large part of the blame although who knows if they are just carrying out Ashleys direct instructions (i.e sell anyone we can get money for and buy potential that we can sell on for profit)
  These are dark days indeed, I’m noty sure how Keegan, Wise and Llambias can all stay in thier jobs and work together with all that has gone on and imagine that the “talks” are to discuss exactly that.
  Why else would Keegan get the LMA involved (I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of them getting involved in meetings between the board and manager other than to discuss severance)

• 41 The Entertainers // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:01

  If Keegan stays, the inevitable rumours will once again start:
  1) When will Kev leave.
  2) Will Ashley sell up
  3)Can Kev and Wise work together
  4)Will money be available in Jan

  The rollercoaster may just have begun

• 42 rooks // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:01

  hitman.

  although the board may have underestimated KKs support & the public outcry I very much doubt they will be sh!tting themselves.

  They will just need to make an official announcement about Wise being the new (temporary?) manager, lie low for a bit, take the flak (a few protests / & attendances down), maybe nake a big signing & people will start trickling back & life as an NUFC will carry on as normal.

  They know that people won’t stop supporting the team forever, and the rallying cry of ‘lets get behind the club / team / manager’ is just around the corner as demonstrated on this very blog at various times.

  Unfortunately I think the club will then go t!ts up (poor performances, players leaving). NO decent managers will want to come here with Wise continually meddling and if they do the same thing will happen until Wise & Cashleys cronies stay out of the team / squad selection aspect.

  the f**kin circus that is NUFC continues….

• 43 ToonBlood // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:03

  Whatever they say about us Geordies, there’s no doubting our commitment and knowledge about our club. Read Harry Pearson’s ‘The Far Corner’ if you get the chance.

  And whilst there may have been debate about Special K and what could/should/will happen, I think we’re all agreed on one thing … Wise was a strange appointment, doesn’t make sense was a recipe for disaster. Reading all the vented spleen on the blog site I haven’t seen one comment in defence of Wise.

  So who appointed him? Ashley must have sanctioned it. Even if he sees that Wise must go, his ego won’t let him admit he made a ginormous cock-up … one that every Toon fan would have avoided like the plague, and known was like putting Gazza in charge at The Stawberry.

  It’s clear that Ashley knows very little about football; they don’t come much more knowledgeable that Special K. So if Ashley or his cronies start making football ‘decisions’, then no wonder KK blows a fuse. So would any of us.

  It will be resolved because it has to be. The club is bigger than any of us. But bloody embarrassing for everyone. Shameful in fact.

• 44 AdamCF // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:04

  Bill.. I’d say that’s what KK’s just trying to sort out now with his solicitor.

• 45 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:04

  Did the “board” really tell the players KK was gone? If that’s true then this is clearly an attempt by someone (Wise?) to get Keegan out. Both parties, club and manager, have now clearly stated that KK was neither sacked nor resigned. So why would anyone tell the players otherwise? That sounds like a deliberate attempt to undermine him. Gets more like a conspiracy as it goes on doesn’t it? This is all f***ing mental!

  The way I see it Ashley wants a well run business that makes a profit and can, at some stage, be sold for a profit. Given that he appointed Keegan and that he does enjoy the whole “look at me I’m one of the fans” stuff, he must at least recognise that being a well run business in this context means playing good football and having a recognised figurehead. Why else would he bring Kevin back?

  So, it makes business sense to keep KK but not if the rest of the football world knows he’s got no power, or being forced to stay for financial reasons. It makes sense if, and only if, KK is allowed to be Mr Newcastle United again - which means letting him having proper control over 1st team affairs…including transfers.

  So, Mr Ashley, as someone with the interests of our club (as a football team and business) at heart here is a solution for resolving this:

  1. meet personally with Kevin, without any other “board” members there - its your business, you own it outright, you make the final decisions

  2. draw up a new contract which gives KK clear decision-making authority over the things that he wants (transfers to the first team, etc) - and agree this with the LMA and your lawyers

  3. keep your structure if it makes the business stronger, but make sure the people in it can work together. Does Sports Direct work if its top men are at war? If a key asset is being prevented from doing their job because of someone else, you might well consider giving the someone else a shove. If that is Wise in this case, or Lambias, or both, so be it. Replace them with someone who can work with KK.

  4. speak directly to the fans, and in person via a press conference. You only need to do it once. Sat beside KK and assuring us of your commitment to him. Why? Because the long term financial future of the club rests with a) TV revenues and b) ticket and merchandise sales. I fact, Newcastle is one of the most profitable clubs in the world for merchandise. Do you really want to lose that business?

  Sound like a plan Mr Ashley? Or do you want to run this business into the ground after all the good work you’ve done rescuing it? Imagine the loss youd make if the team plumeted in the league and the fans stayed away.

• 46 TerryMacsPerm // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:06

  Rooks - I’m not so sure. Not this time I’ve never in my life seen a backlash like there was yesterday as news broke. I’m sorry but if Keegan goes the fans go with him and if the fans go the club goes down the drain. People are sick of getting up their hopes only for incompetence in the board room to ruin it and kick us down again. Trust me if KK goes the others will have no other option but to follow the ‘hatred’ will be too much

• 47 dick // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:08

  another wasted blog KK has gone, lets talk about what happens now, and short term future

• 48 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:08

  rooks,if ashley made wise the manager,your right it would be the end of the toon,but we will take wise and ashley with us

• 49 Oleg G // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:08

  Why the PEOPLE OF NEWCASTLE don’t have a Fun Club that speaks to MA directly and resolves things?

  England has a much better League then Israel but here we have representetives in every club who is a fan, and he talks to the owners on behalf of the fans, and get info out to the fans.

  Why it dosn’t happen there?

  And I see that the fans can’t really change nothing inside the club. why is that ???

• 50 alpott // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:09

  Dennis Wise has never been liked anywhere he has been, how the feck did we end up with the waste of space. Why was another position in the club created when Ashley is trying to save money. Get WISE OUT NOW !!!!!!!!!

• 51 Oleg G // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:10

  Things that the club doing really bad:

  - comunication with the fans and media.

  - “The Team” of wise, that didn’t justified their excistense.

  - The contract handeling and the signing (related to Wise again).

  - Cheap (MA)

  - Lies to the fans !!!!!

• 52 hadrian // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:11

  rooks , the 5k missing supporters at the last game added up to about 200k in lost revenue from tickets , add to that money spent inside the ground aswell .
  imagine if 10k or 15k fans didnt go

• 53 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:11

  I’m gonna stop reading this blog until the club and/KK make a statement and this whole sorry mess is cleared up.

  I’m sick of people on here calling for people’s head’s / looking for scapegoats / refusing to believe the ‘Messiah’ has played any part in this / generally making sh!t up.

  All we know for sure is that Keegan has not quit and Ashley has not sacked him - anything else is pure, unadulterated speculation!!!

  Maybe not the best phrase to use but some of you really need to WISE UP! Every day I read some drivel about how the press have it in for us, they only print lies and yet the vast majority seem to have just lapped up every word they’ve said on this matter.

  This is Toon Chicken signing out. See you on the other side of the International break?

• 54 Luke // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:13

  I really can’t see Keegan leaving despite his famous ‘principles’ being undermined. The reason for this — I hope — is that he simply doesn’t want to do that again to us fans, to Newcastle, to himself. If he wanted to walk, he would’ve done now. But unless a resolution can be made in which Kev is totally happy, things will come to an end. He’s already tempered his own storm somewhat and won’t take much more.

  It’s clear we’re progressing under him, I still believe we’ve signed some excellent players, and MA I think will recognise his work. He saved us from relegation and went on a very good run at the arse-end of the last season. We’ve also had a good start to this season in my opinion.

  As Ed said (right said Ed!), we need cool heads. Especially from some of the neanderthal fans reportedly vandalising shops.

  –

  Apparently West Ham are in for Appiah. Worth a punt on a pay as you play basis.

• 55 Ian // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:14

  I think everything is suddenly dawning on Ashley and he has the opportunity to try and put in a structure which falls in behind a quality manager who is currently Kevin Keegan.

  Afterall he likes the Arsenal model doesnt he?

  If he sorts the structure out then we will be ok, maybe we needed this storm to clear up all the faults.

  Keegan has been around enough clubs to know good structures from ones which do not work, Ashley may as well use it as an educational briefing.

• 56 Luke // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:15

  PS. not reading this blog today. I havn’t done any work in two days!

• 57 Oleg G // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:17

  I say, Don’t sit next to MA in the games anymore, get away from him. show your Anger at him. He is making it personal, we will too !!!

  I miss Mort too

  and really where is the guy who replaced mort ?

  he dosn’t do nothing !

  ps- wise go to hell !

• 58 Dev // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:17

  It’s quite simple, and all this media hype is just enhanching the picture….a picture we already knew was unfolding.

  Take the new players..Jonas, Guthrie, Gonzales, Coliccini and Bassong.

  If these guys are successful, Wise and his mob get the credit….but if it all goes wrong and they have no impact….it’s Keegans fault.

  Ashley a recluse? Where the hell did the media find that information? The guy acts like a lottery winner not a shrewd business man.

  What exactly in Keegans past transfer dealings does Ashley see that makes him not trust KK’s judgement?

  Gillespie, Beresford, Peacock, Albert, Ginola, Cole, Shearer, Ferdinand, Beardsly, Lee…..these guys were all great signings and each of those guys will wax lyrical about KK at any given opportunity even today.

  So what does Mike Ashley see in Dennis Wise that makes him decide he is better equiped than KK when recruiting playing staff?

  Once again the club is in turmoil no sooner has the summer transfer window shuts. Who writes the scripts?

• 59 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:18

  toon chiken if there is no truth to it why has keegan not taken training for the past 2 days…i wish it was the press making sh!te up but the fact is its not, where in a lot of mess and i carnt see a happy ending to this one..

• 60 esmag // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:18

  Ed, please remove wise photo from the web. It just irritates me whenever i see his little devil eyes

• 61 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:18

  @Terry Macs Perm - I agree. The mood has actually been changing at the club for a few years. I remember in the terrible days of Dalglish and Gullit that there was still lots of singing and some optimism that with the right boss in and a couple fo signings we’d be ok. Of course we still had a figurehead then…it just wasn’t the manager, it was Shearer.

  Under Bobby, when it was clear FFS was interfering fans were pissed off but kept coming, kept singing. Again we had a figurehead, two actually - Bobby and Big Al.

  But from Souness onwards the mood has gradually changed. Steadily the fans have been booing more often. Gradually the bitterness at let downs on and off the field has got deeper and more vocal. That exploded with outright attacks on Shepherd before he went and in the criticism of Allardyce.

  The return of KK helped to change that for a bit but if he now goes it’ll make things even worse than before. It’ll be like having the old St James atmosphere just within our grasp then snapped away. That will be bitter. It will be nasty.

  I just think fans are pig sick of us being the easy targets for abuse and criticism from the media and the rest of the football world. We want a club we can support with pride, a manager we trust and players who fight for the shirt. It felt like we might be getting that…and now its being destroyed overnight.

  Letting KK go and keeping Wise would be a disaster for the club and Ashley. Does he realise that?

• 62 DH7 Mags // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:19

  KEEGAN AND SHEARER HAVE JUST BOTH ARRIVED AT ST JAMES PARK TOGETHER.

• 63 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:20

  WISE = GOLUM OFF LORD OF THE RINGS LOL

• 64 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:21

  where did you see that big al and KK was it on sky sports

• 65 sirjasontoon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:22

  The club need to make a statement or keegan does ASAP.

  The board are just treating the fans with contempt and the communication is nothing short of ignorant.

  Wise Out,Ashley out and a serious investor in with KK at the Helm obviously.

• 66 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:23

  Yeah DH7 where did you see that?

• 67 Toon Chicken // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:24

  hitman - I’m not saying there hasn’t been a fall out. It is quite clear something has happened. All I am saying is that we the fans have no idea of the details yet AND neither do the media, and until we do maybe it would be a good idea to put the witch hunt on hold.

  TTFN!

• 68 neeraj // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:25

  just guessing this is what would have happened

  on 20 aug- judas milner would have given his transfer request.
  24-27 aug- villa bids for milner 12 mill

  i don’t remember the date of meeting regarding milner if it was on 27th aug- ashley would have loved the money, but kk refused initially, but had to give in to 12 mill and to the replacement promised by board….

  28th aug-31st aug- the team start to look for milner’s replacement found out one in Mcfadden

  1st sept- bid for Mcfadden, but again overpriced in 10 mill, so bid fails

  1st sept- in the meeting kk mite have been promised that he will get mcfadden in jan when his value drops to a correct level, kk obviously lost his faith in wise storms out of the meeting and that’s it and someone see’s him going and says he has resigned/been sacked and spreads the rumor….

  Nothing against KK, what’s the point in buying someone above the correct price, we would have been taking big risk there…. we shouldn’t have done it with mcfadden by paying extra as aston villa did for JUDAS MILNER

  and abt the left back we were linked with every left back in the world, all must not have been rumors. So as last resort we went in for atouba and he didn’t turn up for medical(how’s that anybody’s fault)….

• 69 sirjasontoon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:25

  PS if Keegan goes we do not want shearer in as it would ruin his legacy…and if Ashley thinks piggy eyes could fill the hot seat…THINK AGAIN !

• 70 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:25

  We’re now 9/1 on to be relegated. That’s much shorter odds than a week ago. Jesus!

• 71 dave v // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:25

  Ashley might salvage something from this, but only if he realises he is totally out of his depth and sell to a huge and I mean huge group.
  The idiot should have sold the club to the Arab group and we would have been in seventh heaven but no he has missed the opportunity to put us at the top of the pile because mark my words Manchester City are going to be just that within 2 years.
  My hope is other massive investment groups like the Indians or other Arab groups muscle in.
  Keegan will walk simply because he cannot stomach seeing the supporters led down the garden path yet again and would be only too willing to return when a serious group takes over.
  Just make sure Ashley leaves, get my drift?

• 72 macn0ble (Finland) // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:25

  Well, guys, gotta say. I’m lil’bit amused about the way people are reacting about the situation.

  1st-The measures Mr. Ashley is doing are standard business actions. When you’re trying to blow life to a company on a verge of bankrupt. Your slice and dice. If you’re running a club with debts over 130 mil and 70 % of your budget goes to wages, wouldn’t you try to get rid of players like Owen Smith and Barton? They collect more the 200 k per week all together and will( if god will) play some 50 games added together.

  2nd wouldn’t you say that the signings Mrs Wise Jimenez and Vetere have brought in look class? Have some faith. There are other clubs who are doing good job with a half of the class we have.

  3rd if you’re in a tight budget and you have no European football to offer, would you say, it’s easy to bring in any players with class?

  Tight times are in Tyneside to stay not least because Mr Sheperd.. and we just have to keep our faith and keep supporting.

  Because @ the end day, we fans are the people who can pay the way for NUFC to get out of this mess

• 73 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:27

  Shearer KK back up against golum maybe golum gone and shearer director of football dream team dont bite me head off just tryin to lighten the mood

• 74 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:28

  dh7 source plz

• 75 Richard // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:28

  You are all calling for the Arabs, but who knows that they are any better?

  We dont want Arabs or Abrabovich’s what we need is a football minded board, not a profit minded board.

  MA has given us a great deal of stability (financially) but it seems that it is the roles of the management team which are causing the problems.

  Wise was always touted as the talent scout for the academy. Jim and Lam are the scouts and I have to say they are doing a decent job but for the first team the names should come from KK and not DW.

  If DW remains at the club there needs to be a split in the management roles:

  Owner - MA
  First Team Manager - KK
  Academy Manager - DW
  Recruitment - Jim and Lam

  at no point should DW be dictating players to KK but KK should be able to dictate players to DW.

  Jim and Lam should receive lists of players from both managers and see what they can do with them.

  MA - if you have to stay - please DONT blurr the lines of management. Let KK do HIS job!!!

  NUFC Forever. KK forever.

• 76 Oleg G // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:28

  Shearer and KK ???

  FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT !!!!

  is shearer going to shoot ashley like a ball… like he did with his free kicks ? (do you remember those ? )

• 77 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:29

  Dave V - if you read between the lines of what KK said about his decision to quit last time it has a lot to with feeling the fans were going to get a raw deal out Shepherd as chairman…which he figured was going to happen when Sir John Hall took a back seat. He obviously thought Ashley was the new John Hall!

• 78 AndyT // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:29

  To be honest I’m not really sure what to think at the minute. Yes Keegan is iconic. Yes he is a great manager. You better believe I want him to stay.

  But…….. I’ll probably get flamed for these comments, but here goes anyway.
  If Owen wont sign a new contract - that was the last chance to sell him. Is it wrong to see if there is any interest? Barton might be missing for the majority of the season, is a polarizing influence on the support of the team and may be affecting player recruitment, certainly from France. If there were enquirers, was it wrong to talk to Joey about wha he thought. Smith, well I think the enire Geordie nation disagrees with Keegan on Smith. If only Smith had been sold and Keegan quit over it, I think we would all have called him an idiot, I mean he’s the only fit striker we have and he still can’t get a game.
  If all three had been pushed through, then it would have been stupid, but if any one of those had happened, I doubt very much there would have been any uproar.

  As for a different situation under different ownership. How much did Mark Hughes have to do with Robinhio - nothing I suspect. Erikson before him didn’t know who half the the players were that were signed for him. One of the best managers in the world left the richest club (at the time) in the premiership because he did not have control of who was in the squad.

  Looking closer to home and this window, Guthrie was a Keegan pick. Keegan hadn’t heard of Jonas (Arguably the best signing we have made in a few years) until he was told he was a Newcastle Player. Bassong wasn’t a Keegan pick, but came over for a trial and Keegan got to decide on whether to push the transfer through.

  So I disagree, I don’t think Keegan should be 100% in control, he should be a key player in a team. Now its up to Ashly to make sure he has the right Manager for that team (CEO) and it is that Managers job to make sure the team are coordinated. That’s what is fundamentally broken at the minute and needs fixing. If Keegan can’t work as part of a team (which I don’t believe for a minute) then he should go. If the CEO can’t manage his team (which I think has been apparent for a while) then he should go. One of the best signings that Abramovitch ever made was Peter Kenyon. I think Ashley has already got the right Manager in place, now he needs to get the right CEO, who can build a board that works as a team.

• 79 happy toon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:30

  IS IT SO HARD TO LET KEEGAN DO HE’S JOB. WTF…YOU DON’T SEE THIS BULL AT OTHER CLUBS

• 80 Davies // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:30

  DH7 Mags

  Is that true?
  Or are you being a little monkey?

• 81 Bobby Ollox // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:30

  We need someone at the helm who really really really cares about results - someone who’s weekend is completely buggered if we dont win, someone who feels shame when we get embarassed, someone who wakes up at 6:00 on sunday morning after we win, because they dont want to miss it on MotD, even thought they recorded it on sky+ on saturday night. Dont get me wrong - this is a business, and business decisions need to be made - but you can still be passionate about business. I dont get the impression that MA really has that passion for this part of his business - seems more that he never wants to be lonely in a pub.

  and anyone who understands passion can see what an asset KK is to the club - his fire may not burn quite as passionately as it did last time around, but if MA cared as passionately for the club, there is just no way that he could let KK out the door.

  There is no difference betwwen a resignation and a sacking at this level - they just cant work together apparently.

• 82 k-man // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:32

  Supposedly KK has gone, and an announcement at noon.

• 83 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:32

  DH7 MAGS is it your uncle as was it not you who predicted all this yersterday and said befor statement he had not been sacked

• 84 DH7 Mags // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:33

  I have had 5/6 different texts through off various friends to say. am looking all over to find out if there is any truth in it, i will let you know when I find out. Something must be going on like. Fair enough if only one person had said, but 5 or 6!!!

• 85 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:33

  k-man - what? Sounds like you and DH7 should meet up and have a chat. You seem to have conflicting stories and sources.

• 86 Davies // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:35

  Please stop calling for the Arabs to buy us out. Keegan would have less control than he does now.

  Have you heard what Dr Whatsisname has been saying about Man Citeh signings in the January transfer window. It’s like buying thoroughbred horses to these guys. They want the most expensive players and don’t care if they’ll play well together, or even if the manager wants them.

  All Ashley needs to do is back his manager publically and stick to his word. If Keegan is being undermined by anybody else at the club, that needs to be addressed.

  Ashley has not yet lost my support because, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE HERE, I don’t know what’s happened or who has caused the problems.

• 87 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:35

  Ok DH7. Sounds plausible. So could we have Keegan out fr Shearer? Think that’s going to be very much the same isn’t it? Although fancy Shearer more in a straight fight with Wise…verbal or physical!

• 88 WesToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:36

  @ DH7 Mags // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:19

  Where did you see that mate???

• 89 neeraj // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:39

  if shearer and kk coming together
  best possible news

  kk= manager
  shearer= director football

  or it would be favorable other way round too

• 90 ed_speed // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:40

  aaahhhhh sh*t just broke the ironing bord!!!!

• 91 WesToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:41

  @ BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:35

  HAHAHHAH,i agree mate..only thing is Shearer would knock little DW head off his shoulders

  Hopefully he F@@king will!!!!

• 92 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:41

  Ed Speed - again! That’s two in 24 hours isn’t it? Careful now, B&Q might run out of supplies if you keep going like this.

• 93 k-man // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:44

  Yeah, different versions there:) Well we have to wait and see I guess, but something should come out today, and I have a feeling its not all good……

  I hope to god, Ashley sells the club to someone that cares!

• 94 ROB. WESTERN AUSTRALIA // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:44

  MA and company what an utter discrace MAyour a fat greedy bastard. N. U.F.C do not need you F##K OFF.

• 95 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:44

  ssn,setanta are out sjp,if shearer was seen do you not think it would be all over the box

• 96 BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:45

  WesToon - I’m normally a calm and reasonable man and try to post sensible things on here…but I’d pay good money to see that!

• 97 SAM // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:45

  KK strengths - man management and motivation of players also more astute tactically than the tabloid press claim, e.g. playing Owen off the front men was masterful and saved our last season.
  So how can you man manage when you cannot look a player in the eye and say they are important to your plans, e.g. Wise and co may try and sell them.

  MA also made a truly stupid decision in appionting Wise. Ok I accept a Director of Football role can be beneficial. So what attributes does the person require: fottball management experience, company director experience, also diplomacy and team building to build a rapport with the incumbent football manager. Please tell me which of these boxes Wise ticks? Also forget to mention the Dir of Football job is supposed to lighten the workload of the football manager and this surely requires that person to be based fulltime at the club and not down in London!
  Fact is Wise is a mate who has blagged himself a job in to Newcastle but if the owner is that stupid to be deceived then frankly he deserves what he gets.

• 98 happy toon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:45

  LOOK AT MAN CITY. THE ARAB GUYS ARE BACKING THEIR MANAGER 100% AND MOVING FOWARD FAST. WHY CAN’T WE DO THAT?

• 99 ed_speed // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:45

  benji - i know what a waste og £12!

  i seriusly need to work on my ironing skill.

  any tips anyone?

  regards,
  ed

  p.s ‘mon the lads

• 100 Mongo // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:48

  @ Ed.

  Try not to stand on the ironing board while ironing mate lol.

  Only kidding.

• 101 AndyT // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:49

  Happy Toon
  Mourinho/Grant - Chelsea
  Erikson - Man City
  Barry - Aston Villa
  Sammy Lee - Bolton
  ‘Arry - Porsmouth (re his sejourn with Southampton)
  You see this all over the place, you just don’t care and it doesn’t register when its not your club.

• 102 neeraj aka ed_speed for owner // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:49

  ed
  next make sure that u are not wearing the clothes u want to iron….

• 103 Kash // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:56

  @All the LADS:

  Keegan knows that us geordies have united together to fight for our club. We all thought the days of our club being humiliated were gone, and back were the times when we could hold our heads up high, just like the previous era when KK was in charge. But the new board are bringing that humiliation back upon our shoulders.

  KK knows he can’t do it on his own, he needs help, whether its from Shearer, or whoever!!! It’s obvious Llambias must go, but i’m not sure if DW is the root of all problems.

  However, we cannot progress this season without KK!!!

  DO NOT STAY AWAY FROM THE HULL GAME. GO TO SJP AND SING YOUR HEARTS OUT!!!!

  TELL MA, THE BOARD, and KK WHAT YOU WANT!!!

  DEMONSTRATE BEFORE, DEMONSTRATE AFTER, BUT SING, SHOUT, SCREAM YOUR DEMANDS IN THE GROUND.

  THE MORE COVERAGE WE GET, THE MORE UNITED WE ARE SEEN TO BE, THESE FORCES WILL FORCE MA’S HAND IN OUR FAVOUR!!!!

  LONG LIVE THE TOON!!!

• 104 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:56

  Ed speed you are the one and only you are too funny man

• 105 James // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:57

  Wise is in London so there won’t be any meetings with him today.

  If Shearer is at SJP it’s because KK has demanded Shearer to be in Wise’s role.

• 106 neeraj // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:59

  ed
  next make sure that u are not wearing the clothes u want to iron….

• 107 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:59

  is there no updates yet

• 108 gorskino10 // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:01

  Ashley should thinking he’s all that, just shut up MA sit down and let KK do his thing oh and sack Wise that would save Wages cause thats all you care about MA is wages and money.

• 109 James // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:01

  @Kash - I agree, the players still need our support because we need to win that game.

• 110 SouthLincsToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:01

  Apparently KK wanted Bastian Schweinsteiger to replace Milner, but DW vetoed it

• 111 James // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:04

  If Ashley tried to sell Owen he should be shot. If it wasn’t for Owen last season Ashley would be in charge of a Championship team. He saved our asses from relegation.

• 112 AndyT // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:04

  Sam,

  Totally agree. The question at the minute is whether Ashley will
  a) Build a board designed around Keegan as Manager
  b) Try to find a manager who can work with Wise
  c) Try to find a CEO who can manage Keegan & Wise
  d) Get rid of the lot.
  e) Sell up.

• 113 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:07

  Any update on that shearer sighting

• 114 carl // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:08

  i believe it is wise who is the problem, apparently keegean wantes shwienstiegger?(spelling) and another anon player but wise took no notice , tried to sell owen,smith and barton even tho smith wud be good gone, and got in 2 players hes never seen before,that little cock eyed prick needs to be sacked.let our other recruiting people get players for reserves and youth and kk control all first team. theirs only two outcomes in my eyes, keegan stays and wise goes or wise stays and keegan goes.so mr ashley whos it gunna be? not hard is it!

• 115 AndyNUFC // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:09

  Bloody good shout there James, I for one would love to see Shearer in Wise’s role, obviously only as long as they both agree on things and at the end of the day it always comes down to what KK wants. Shearer, Owen and Keegan would be ultimate pulling power for players to come here.

  However, this is what i’ve read into things. Clearly because Keegan has spoke to the LMA chief, then he is telling them that he isn’t being allowed to run the club how managers should be. The LMA has made these discussions for the next few days where, Keegan says what his grounds are on staying, and if the board don’t live up to them, then he walks. Such a bloody shame that this bust up had to happen on monday afternoon, when we could have been concentrating on signing players.

  I’ll tell you this now though, if Keegan has went these lengths to ensure players like Smith, Barton and Owen stay, then they better reward him. Smith has to live up to his price tag, Barton needs to get his head down and nose clean, and Owen has to sign a new contract. If they don’t, it’s an utter disgrace and sign of ungratefulness from them.

• 116 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:09

  you would not think so carl how hard can it be to get rid of golum

• 117 Rodney Trotter // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:09

  Agree with Mitch Ed_Speeds comments are the only spark in a dark time for NUFC.
  Redknapp just come out and said he was not interested in Barton.Hes got no money.

• 118 WesToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:10

  @ BenjiToon // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:45

  Mate,i might pay my life savings to see that

  @ Kash // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:56

  Agreed there Lad..C’MON LADS SING FOR KK & BIG AL REVOLUTION

  Ho’way the Lads!!!!!

• 119 James // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:11

  More importantly :

  WHY ARE SSN NOT APOLOGISING TO NEWCASTLE FANS TODAY???

  They created this media circus yesterday making claims KK had been sacked to build up the story. When all along KK had not been sacked or even resigned.

  Sky Sports New’s behaviour yesterday was disgusting!

• 120 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:12

  mitch id take the shearer sighting with a pinch of salt,ssn,setanta are all oot side sjp,if he had been sighted they would report it..

• 121 Sav // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:13

  AndyT, theres loads of holes in your take on it.
  - Owen was offered a contract at the last possible minute. Some say after a rethink following a pay cut offer. I bet he’s glad he hadn’t signed it now.
  - the size of our squad interms of experienced players is pathetic. For example, Liverpool have 3 specialist RBs and 3 LBs. We have one of each. Nol cover for Butt. Only Cacapa as experienced cover for both centrebacks. (compare with ManCity with Dunne, Richards, Ben Haim and Kompany). No creative CM. No right winger. If you can’t see we are flying on empty, god help us.
  But surely the biggest problems concerned not the buys, but the sales. First Milner, which sale KK had been persuaded to take responsibility for on the basis he’d get all the money to reinvest, and then the reported touting of the other 3 behind his back on Monday. Coupled with the lack of signings to replace Milner, that was a bridge too far.

• 122 Glenn_United // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:13

  ASHLEY MUST GO and take his toys/boys with him (Wise, Jimenez, Llambias.) SELL ASHLEY SELL!!!!!

  LEAVE THE TOON AND NEVER RETURN YOU ARE BANISHED!!!!!!!!!!!

  KEEGAN KEEGAN KEEGAN stay stay stay

• 123 DH7 Mags // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:13

  a guy who deals with the catering for newcastle united is the one who saw shearer and keegan arriving together so i have just found out. my mate is a catering manager at the college and deals with this guy also, he is the one who seen them at the ground today.

• 124 mitch // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:13

  Well if its not players what IS IT if sheare has went tonufc It prob because he is as much a fan as us right

• 125 Rodney Trotter // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:14

  I only watch SSN for Georgi Thompson I would give anything for some of her

  http://www.panicpictures.net/images/celebrities/GeorgieThompson/GeorgieThompson005.jpg

• 126 faustino // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:15

  lol @ the idea Ferguson and Wenger have total colntrol at their clubs. Naieve beyond all belief.

  Pre-Glazer Ferguson would have sold Ronaldo in a f*cking heartbeat this summer. and don’t tell me that Wenger, despite the penny pinch gesturing, wouldn’t be equally likely to spend like it’s going out fashion if that’s what the board allowed. If KK thinks he’s going to be allowed total control over anything other than first team selection and tactics he’s going to be dissapointed.

  I’ve racked my brains on this and can only conclude this is about Barton and Milner.

  I think Kevin may have been un-willingly asked to speak up for Barton and the Milner transfer in public. And in both counts was publically embarassed by the boards actions, firstly, in the attempted sale of Barton and secondly, in the lack of replacement for Milner.

  However, I think from the boards point of view the two may be linked. I have a feelin that we we’re close to Malouda and possibly another French player, [who I won't attept to name!], and both refused to sign with Barton at the club, due to obvious recent problems.

  At this juncture I reckon Barton was offered verbally by Ashely to his old mate Redknapp. [Viewers of Celebrity Apprentice in the UK will no doubt of noticed the close friendship between Louise Redknapp and Ashley - how do you reckon they know each other then? and why was Harry mentioned for the job..... hmmm]

  I in no way think this was done behind KKs back and actually believe that he was told, note the press silence from him towards the end of last week etc. The whole issue blew up on transfer deadline day when it all went t*ts up and KK is left staring down the barrel of a press conference he never wanted to be part of in the first place.

  He didn’t want to sell Milner, he took the can for that, and he happily leant his support to Barton and was in turned made to look foolish by an attempted off-load. May be right, may be wrong - my 2 cents.

  What can be said - NONE of this should have been dealt with in public. Whatever it was should have been handled without the naievity/arrogance of the board and the drama of Keegan. We we’re just about to sort out all of this Press rubbish.

  If we [yes the fans included] had handled the trasnfer window with some f*cking dignity instead of crying like bairns we didn’t sign an over paid trophy signing and been happy with the 5 undoubted quality players we did get and not totally overreacted to yeterdays press atagonisation, none of this would have been so bad as far aswe’re concerned. But, yet again we’re portrayed as total morons by the national press.

• 127 SHEARER FOR THE TOON // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:16

  BREAKING NEWS
  WISE CALLED BACK TO N’CSTLE FOR EMERGENCY TALKS SHEARER SIGHTED AT SJP

• 128 Whumpie // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:19

  I think Ian and Lesh put their collective fingers on it: Ashley is partly to blame because he brought in in the wrong people - a load of amoral spivs from London - and expecting them to work with one of the few principled men in football.

  A known trouble-maker who’s regularly at the centre of trouble in Beaconsfield bars, plus an ex-casino manager??

  Come on Ashley, what were you thinking? To make it worse, Wisey’s croneys are obviously milking the situation and sharing commissions with their hispanic mates - why else are four of our six signings hispanic and totally at odds with KK’s stated criteria? Honestly, it reads like a script for a Guy Ritchie film.

  BUT I think if Ashley is to save this situation the head that has to roll is that of Derek Llambias. He is supposed to be running the club - and the downturn since he replaced the excellent Chris Mort is obvious. All common sense, morality and spirit of co-operation has been replaced with the self-serving, backstabbing, money-grabbing BS of the gambling industry. It’s sickening.

  Ashley’s no fool, and I think he must know that he either has to turn it all on its head in favour of KK - thereby making a statement that should buy him another chance with the fans - or sell up.

  He reckons he bought the club to ‘enjoy it as a fan’. He must know the game’s up unless he makes sure KK wins this one. There is hope.

• 129 Keeeguuurn // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:20

  ed_speed … dont stand on it, it’s not a surf board.

• 130 nightfall // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  if we sign players that KK wanted we’d spent 50m…but i’m sure our signing would be as good as they are…period… you don’t give 50m to sbd who was out of football for 3 years… i mean…he’d probably do the same as shearer, who wanted bentley (jonas way better and 12m cheeper), carrick (guthrie 15m cheeper, but has the same potential) and ashton (crocked overarted (slow as an elephant, not much of a finisher and fragile as saha) but still costs 12m…so we’d spent 50m (defender not included) and we wouldn’t really improve..so yes..i don’t think KK should be the one signing players…for now…

  as for this..KK leaving…i think that’s just a distraction..our board didn’t bring players they were hoping for (sth went wrong) and this is just a backup plan for that…by releasing the rumor about KK leaving us..the fans and press are dealing with other issues then transfers…it’s just a diversion…i’m sure everything is fine…

• 131 havanaclue // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  lol Ed brightenin the blog up !!
  ive just checked out the Georgie Thomson pic NOW SHE would brighten it up so much wed all need sunglasses!!1

• 132 Whumpie // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  By the way: congrats to Bill F for what must be the only mention of Occams razor in a footie debate! Anyone care to try getting Schrödinger’s Cat in there somehow?

• 133 Cockney Magpie // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  hopefully Keegan and Shearer are planning to buy the club together i know the aint billionaires but i would be happier than any billionaire could make me if they bought the club. they could be like Quinn and Keane (sorry to use the mackems as and example) but desprate times and all that

• 134 RobB // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  I have a few problems with all this.

  1. I love KK - when the North East was having its darkest hour being dismantled by Mrs Thatcher we heard that KK was coming to play for newcastle. I wept, and I’m not a weeper. And then his spell with the entertainers and now seeing glimpses of that again.

  2. On the other hand he is so emotional he actually needs the checks and balances of a more logical approach. I’m glad the LMA is involved in this.

  3. I think KK is wrong in wanting to keep Smith and Barton and I thought the Milner deal a good piece of business.

  4. I like Owen but have reservations about his worth until I see if he manages to stay fit.

  5. I have always loathed Dennis Wise - he’s a thug.

  6. I note Scolari has made it clear he is not involved in recruitment

  I hope KK has not got into the stubborn ‘I must have my way in everything’ frame of mind. Real life is about compromises and working together.

  I really hope things get sorted out, Dennis Wise goes, KK stays and is at the heart of player recruitment. But if he goes, probably by mutual consent, I won’t take my bat home - I”’ll watch developments with interest.

• 135 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  dh7,i hope your right,but what role for big al he has says he dosnt want to be number2.

• 136 carl // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  does anyone kmow where dennis wise lives?

• 137 ed_speed // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:23

  first of all thanks for the compliments guys, i really apreciate them.

  second of all, where has this rumour developed that i stood on the ironing brod? i didn’t! and i didn’t iron the clothes what were on me.

  god the press have already cocked up the keegan issue, now they have done it again, with an ironng bord!!!!

  calm down, its a simple assessery of a stable household, i wouldnt make such a fuss. CURSE THE PRESS.

  regards,
  ed.

  p.s ‘MON THE LADS

• 138 Keeeguuurn // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:24

  could keegan be leaving (mutually) and shearer take over to placate fans?

• 139 shirts // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:24

  Sorry for posting this again and again, but I think the idea is that good and its time has come…

  shirts // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22

  Friends–I saw this on the Guadian blog responses and wanted to share: Why aren’t Newcastle fans thinking in this direction? It’s time for fan ownership…

  It’s not my idea, but this commenter laid it out nicely, so read on.

  ljepo
  September 2, 2008 5:30 PM

  Bilbao/esp
  When are we the fans going to stop putting our faith in billionaires who are only in it for themselves? The strength of NUFC has and always will be it’s loyal support. Let’s build on that. I know the Premier League trend is for a foreign mega-bucks to buy our clubs and we tug our forelocks and say thank-you very much sir and continue to be ripped off and disappointed. IT’S TIME TO END THIS HEARTBREAKING MERRY GO ROUND.

  Not all BIG clubs are owned by billionaires. Two of the most successful teams in Europe, Real Madrid and Barcelona are actually real sports clubs. The President and board are elected by the members / season ticket holders and they are held to democratic account. I don’t see Real Madrid or Barcelona short of a few bob when it comes to buying the best players. They don’t need cynical money grabbing billionaires to win silverware. Why should we?

  Let’s learn from this farce at the Toon and start a campaign for fan’s control of NUFC. Do you think Ashley or Wise would be elected if season ticket holders voted for the board?

  Keep the faith King Kev and thanks a million for being a man of principle.

• 140 Canova // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:24

  If Ashley is annoyed with KK,s support for Joey Barton, he needs to look at Dennis Wise’s record as per the following link. You will see that Wise has a very similar history of violence. So why is Ashley supporting him ?

  A couple of extracts from DW’s bio follow.

  1995: Wise is jailed for three months for an assault on a taxi driver, but is later acquitted on appeal.
  2002: Sent home from Leicester’s pre-season training camp in Finland after an incident which leaves team-mate Callum Davidson with a broken cheekbone. Loses legal battle with Leicester after being sacked and joins Millwall - appointed player-manager after two months

  http://www.joinmust.org/forum/showthread.php?t=44009

• 141 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:25

  Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!Ashley must now sell!! Ashley must now sell!!

• 142 faustino // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:25

  Whumpie - If you put Dennis wise in a wee sealed lead box. Could you prove whether he is dead or alive without lifting of the lid?

• 143 hitman // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:25

  lads did here on the tele yesterday that keegan is mates with the sultan of brunie….

• 144 ed_speed // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:26

  it’s a hard life being usain bolt……

• 145 carl // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:26

  i dont think keegan will leave at all. obviously the system has to change and someone will leave ,but not kk. ashley cant be that stupid, just give wise the boot! no need for a few days discussions.its bloody simple

• 146 neeraj // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:27

  and it’s even HARDER to have tyson GAY as ur name

• 147 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:28

  ASHLEY AND HIS BUM BOYS MUST GO!!!
  ASHLEY OUT!!! WE DONT WANT YOU HERE!!

  SELL! SELL!! SELL!!!

• 148 mozza // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:28

  good link rodney, cant see shearer coming in to do anything at nufc other than manage the team and i think he would think twice with this two bit outfit in charge, how could anyone trust them after KK was promised the world in funds and then told to scrimp and scrape and dont give me the modric story that was just to placate fans to show we mean business, in other words spin, was never gona happen, remember KK saying i dont have enough money to compete with the top teams, was’nt that at his first press conference though was it?

• 149 mitch only one ed speed // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:29

  do you like the name ed speed

• 150 Ian // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:29

  it all depends if Ashley is the businessman he thinks he is, when it goes wrong can he remove his friends from the board??

  Businessmen wouldnt even stop to think about that, he gave his friends a business opportunity did they throw it back in his face?

  Keegan has increased ticket sales.

  Keegan moved us up the premiership table.

  Keegan has done his job, have the others done theirs properly?

  really they are the only questions worth asking and worth finding answers for Ashley, nothing else matters, a business must keep the people who earn the business money.

• 151 Sav // Sep 3, 2008 at 11:30

  What a day! If Keegan is gone, and that looks almost certain now, where can we get a top replacement at this point in the season? Who would take over a shambles with a self-evidently unstable structure, run by Wise and Jimenez from London? Only Wise himself and possibly Poyet could countenance it. I doubt if the fans will stand for that, or Ashley, either. That’s the last time he’ll be drinking in the Newcastle end.

  While nobody likes Wise, its too easy to blame him and Jimenez for implementing a policy which must have been agreed with Ashley but not with Keegan. That is Ashley’s fault.
  If he told them to recruit a LB at all costs, they’d surely have got one by now. If he said that we need Premiership players they’d have been recruited. If he did not tell them to get in cash by any means, including selling young stars, then Milner would not have been sold. I don’t believe those two were acting entirely off their own bat. They get a fat salary regardless of who they buy in. Its down to Ashley.
  He has used the popularity of Keegan and persuaded him with promises to be his public apologist and than left Keegan out to dry holding broken promises, shredded credibility and no authority to conduct his job as manager of Newcastle United Football Club.
  As it stands, we are the laughing stock of the nation again. The squad has got more holes in it than a string vest. The 2 new recruits must look at their new managerless club and wonder ‘wtf have I got myself into’. Morale must be at an all-time low inside and outside SJP. Meanwhile, prospects for getting a new manager of the quality we need are dismal. No way will Michael Owen be signing any contract extension at this mad-house. And the row between fans and owner are going to make even Fat Fred Shepherd seem popular by comparison.
  I reckon this is as go