The Newcastle United Blog

246 responses so far ↓

• 1 Ian // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:23

  Is that the new strip???

• 2 Obafan // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:25

  I’m not going to do stupid like some on here by saying ‘FIRST’ lol.

  No, I think something is going on, the stories keep coming up and they all refer to a few things that will happen then:

  1. the chance of a Dubai group taking over is quite large IMO

  2. KK will be reappointed to get a stable club

  I hope that things will go fast, cause we caannot take too much of a time in the mess the club is in ATM.

• 3 geordiejp // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:25

  Well lets hope so .. the longer this drags on the more points we gonna keep dropping in the league untill this is all sorted but even that is no guarantee due to the mess with injuries and horribly small squad lets just hope we can make it to january mid table…..

• 4 ToonKing // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:26

  this is all bollox right now, not one credible news so far this week.

  I still fancy Bill Gates as new owner …

• 5 Ian // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:27

  I hope they are interested, quite why an investments company would buy a football club is a mystery to me, but we could do with a fresh start and quickly.

• 6 Tom // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:30

  Reappointing Keegan would be a huge mistake on their part. Yes it would appease the bedsheet brigade, and the fans that can’t yet get past the mid 90s, but its a foolish mistake. If Keegan can’t produce the goods, and a new owner decides to get rid of him, then we go through this whole saga all over again!

  Also, I’d like to keep Jiminez and Vetere on at the club in scouting roles considering the calbre of players they have brought in, if they are willing, and considering whats happened, I’m not sure Keegan could work with them. Given a choice I’d rather keep them and bring in a better manager than Keegan.

• 7 steve // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:33

  Although the story is no doubt complete fabrication 300 million is a great price for Ashley.
  In the current economic climate getting a return of 25% is outstanding.

  If he was a decent bloke and wanted to look good in th etoon he could just come out and say sorry for messing up and hand out about 1100 quid to 50,000 season ticket holders and still come out in profit

  Come on Ash - money will buy forgiveness, at least with me - any fans refusing to forgive him get nowt and the money is allocated to the forgivers pot

• 8 Graham // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:33

  ToonKing - why the hell would you want Bill Gates as owner. He has already pledged to give $40bn+ to charity when he retires. He keeps enough for his retirement and a nest egg for the kids, but they dont end up with billions when he’s gone.

  Wake up man

• 9 Toon Daft // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:33

  thing is, what sort of clout do they possess? it would have to be very serious capital indeed for us - as I posted on another page:

  as much as I hate to say this: that is a ludicrous ideas!! in a world where Abu Dhabi Investments (clout of 650 B), Roman Abramovich (clout of 14 B) are present, and with the likes of Anil Ambani (clout of 24 B) and DIC (rumored more clout than Abu Dhabi) supposedly imminent, how could us fans ever, and i really do mean EVER, compete at the higher levels of the table? Even by bringing up young guns we would fall well short of these giants. Scenario: Zamblera for arguments sake, turns out to be immense, how long could we keep him with these lot sniffing about, not to mention Arsenal, possilb Liverpool, QPR and teams abroad?

  The reality is, those with the biggest sugar daddy’s at the helm will rule the roost for the forseeable future in the EPL. Us fans could never hope to compete with those that have monies to burn. Howay lads, cotton on, this is pure idealism. We need Anil or DIC if we wanna compete for titles and Euro golory.

• 10 Mac // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:33

  No one is interested in buying us. We are a joke at the minute. We have an owner that wants a huge profit before he sells.

  Te players have been knocked by what has happend and just can’t get it together and believe me this will continue until a new manager is appointed. But no manager is going to be appointed because the clubs owners want to sell, so unfortunately get used to displays like Hull

• 11 ToonKing // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:36

  wtf Graham, i was joking you m*g.

• 12 steve // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:37

  I heard Walt Disney were gonna buy us as the new rollercoaster ride

• 13 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:37

  these tycoons will surely part with half a billion when we appoint david o’leary as a temporary manager. ….erm. maybe not then!

• 14 DanToon // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:37

  No to reappointing Keegan for me. Clean start all round new owners with 100 times more money than Ashley and Roberto Mancini as manager!!

• 15 xisco biscuits // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:37

  re TOM

  if kk was sacked for not doing the business then nobody would mind. the fact that he was forced out because he had no authority and yet all the responsibility and accountability was the reason it all kicked off. the fact is we were improving fairly quickly under kk, and if he was backed with serious money we’d improve even further

• 16 Ian // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:41

  I think putting Keegan is the right move, but they need to take their time with a contract and have set targets and set amounts of funds released after achieving certian levels, then apart from Kevin Keegan’s wages all of the targets and funds etc should be released to the public at a press conference with Kevin Keegan present and agreeing with the facts given.

  Then it is simple if KK doesnt get above x with whatever he is given then we know as well as he does he is in trouble, if he climbs with what they have agreed to give him in team terms up to a set level then we know they will release another set of funds and then again we will know the next target.

  That way everyone is in no doubt of what the ground rules are for everyone, if Keegan failed he would probably throw his hands up first anyhow, but we would all know it was fair as it was pre-agreed, there would be no complaints from the fans, all they want is it all to be fair, above board and in the club’s interest.

• 17 LostWords // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:42

  Hope its Anil Ambani cos DIC not interested and zabeel seems to be a small fish in a pond full of giants compared to the others. But then anything is better than now where nothing seems to be happening. I just want a quick resolution so we can all carry on with supporting NUFC.

• 18 Tom // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:44

  Were we improving though Xisco? Yes we played well against Man U, but would have lost if not for Shay. Against Bolton we were ok but would have lost if not for Shay. Against Arsenal we were appalling and Coventry should not have been as close as it was. There is no great improvement there in all honesty.

  Some people (I’m not meaning you mate, just us NUFC fans in general) need to realise that Keegan is not some superb manager. He is a good motivator of players, but he has never been tactically sound. In the 90’s he did wonders for us. That was over 10 years ago though, and he is now a spent force.

  With new owners, and a fresh outlook, we need a fresh start. Re-appointing a manager who is, frankly, living on his reputation quite a bit, is not the way forward, its barely even a sidestep. We need to look at someone like Mancini, like Donadoni, like Terim. Someone who is a good manager, a good motivator and good tactically. In other words, someone new. Somone not Kevin Keegan.

• 19 ANDYGLOSTOON // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:44

  public enemy once said”dont believe the hype”

• 20 Ashton // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:45

  Reappointing KK would be a horrible thing imo we need a world class foreign manager not a quiter who know’s nothing about modern football

• 21 51times // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:46

  I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing Keegan back, but I think anyone who buys us will go for a younger manager.

• 22 DanToon // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:47

  100% agree tom!!

• 23 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:48

  @xisco biscuits: “Improving fairly quickly” under Keegan!!!!

  By what barometer have you used to measure this?

  This is so easy to declare but I have still seen no evidence on how you measure this?

• 24 Toon Daft // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:48

  hasn’t Donadoni just been grace-lessly sacked??

• 25 thicko // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:49

  Sorry to be a bit thick , but what does IMO mean
  after a sentence - please don’t tek the piss cos it’s gonna be an obvious answer

• 26 Nick 69 // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:53

  zabeel is owned by the same man as DIC which is sheikh mohammed, so there will be plenty of financial clout behind them i would have thought

• 27 Toon Daft // Sep 17, 2008 at 14:56

  think he is trying to own several PL clubs?

• 28 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:02

  We need a manger who is strong, tactically, in motivating, planning and professionally.

  Keegan only ticks one box there.

  What concerns me is that people seem to think Keegan is an answer. He is not.

  In order to move forward, we must think and act forward. Fans here want to “go back” to Keegan. No wonder we are going backwards in the league.

• 29 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:02

  anyone bored of talking about this? it feels like we are all walking around in a daze oblivious to the leeds like implosion which is gripping our club at the moment.. all thanks to ashley.

  all you ashley lovers should hang your heads in shame!

• 30 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:04

  @Toon daft:

  This is another problem that may become of this idea of simply buying clubs or demanding to be bought.

  Ther may come a time where one man owns 2 or more Premier league clubs then what do we do.

  It would be similar to Red Bull the Toro Rosso in formula one.

  Not good at all.

• 31 Micky Toon // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:04

  Look, who ever comes in as manager isn’t going to get total control over who comes and who goes. Why? Because none of these mega rich guys trust anyone with their money apart from themselves.
  One of the owners of QPR was asked about our situation and he said “a coach should know his place and coach the team. I will not trust a coach with my money. I only just trust the bank, so why would I trust a football coach”.

  I doubt Sheik ‘n’ Vac or whoever buys us would think any different. If they don’t want to pay ££££ for a player just because someone like Keegan thinks they are then they won’t buy the player. We all know that Keegan would not work like this as he is a control freak.

  So, they bring back Keegan as the “main man” and then tell him he can’t have any money. What happens? KK walks, again.
  Anyone with any sense whatsoever would not employ Keegan as a manager or a coach ever again. Look at his track record for dummy spitting and throwing his toys out of the pram.

  These arabs aren’t daft, they will want the best return on their money, just like Ashley. How else will they afford a new Veyron to go with the 3 they already have?
  This will mean having total say over how their money is spent and what it is spent on. They are the ones who will want total control over their investment from top to bottom. Obviously they will take advice from the people they employ, but their say will be final.

• 32 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:05

  Brown Ale: What has Ashley done?

  What is his crime?

• 33 SuperShearer // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:06

  Toon Daft he might want to own more than own club but he ain’t allowed rules clearly state that. In fact I’m not sure if you’re allowed to own more than one club globally. For example I think Abramovich owns PSV but it’s in his wife’s name so as to avoid any problems….could be wrong about that though.

• 34 Micky Toon // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:08

  SuperShearer - I thought it was CSK Moscow he owned? I’ve never seen anything mentioned about him at PSV, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true, of course.

• 35 SuperShearer // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:10

  Micky Toon could be right mate, the man’s clearly got more money than he knows what to do with. PSV are definitely a feeder club for Chelsea though.

• 36 Graham // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:11

  Sorry ToonKing - your humour is lost on me.

  Mind you - its a better option than fans running the club. WE cant agree on a starting xi let alone managing a football club

• 37 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:17

  We a frequently told that “football is a business”. Ashley led this line in his recent statement.

  If this is the case, , how can a company’s customers be it’s biggest problem?

  The vast majority of Newcastle fans wanted rid of Ashley. We protested to demonstrate the overwhelming groundswell of opinions!

  The naive minority unwittingly felt heart felt sympathy for Ashley after reading his well over due statement.

  its worth pointing out that No business has ever failed because it had too many committed, passionate advocates. If such a company fails, it must be because of the people running the company.

  stop blaming the people who protested. they have just done the club you claim to support a massive favour..

  be gratefull and stop kissing Ashleys arse!

• 38 Born Again Geordie // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:18

  I will wait for an official announcement before I get even remotely excited !!!

  I want stability - is that too much to ask.

• 39 Mac // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:20

  It is still only 1820pm in Dubai now so still plenty of time for a deal to be done today

• 40 Am sick of this // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:21

  for me i think once the new owner is in place reinstating keegan is the best solution this is not me pining for the old entertainers day but is the only logical outcome.
  Keegan’s ghost has loomed over st james park for more than a decade so give him the job and sufficent funds to do the job one of two things will happen he will get it right and the team will be successful or he will walk away either way the ghost of keegan’s entertainers will be laid to rest .
  if he does walk after being allowed to do it his way with his players least the fans wont go ballistic like they did this time the problem this time was most of us could see he was starting to get it right with a paper thin squad and all this paper talk of henry, lampard and beckham it seems what he wanted was bastian schweinsteiger from bayern munich so again dont believe everything you read and hopefully there will be an end to this mess

• 41 Stardust // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:22

  Broon Ale - we supported Ashley before, during and after your MOB made and KK hissy fit throwing crisis.

  It was KK and his MOB that destroyed the club - you need to take responsibility for this mess - you contributed to it.

  With time and reflection maybe one day you will see.

• 42 Stardust // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:24

  AM sick of this - it wont happen - no one will invest 350m to 400m and risk a Keegan hissy fit and another reaction by the fans like this.

  Time to move on I’m affraid.

• 43 Wallsend Will // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:26

  Anyone buying the club should talk to Kevin Keegan. He may well have had enough of it all and tell any new owners to look else where. However if he is interested, then it makes sense to reappoint him, hopefully on the understanding that he has full control etc. I believe that the team would respond extremely well and play good winning football. If the worst came about and Kevin was to fail then he would be replaced with no protests from anyone, of that there’s no doubt. Under Ashley he has’nt had the chance to make it happen and it’s that, which has made most true fans particularly angry. If he’s given a fair chance and provided with sufficient funds he will turn things around of that I’m confident.

• 44 Toon Chicken // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:26

  broon ale - ashley saved us from a leeds style implosion - if anyone should be hanging their heads in shame its you and your bedsheets and brick walls brigade!

• 45 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:26

  Stardust- your head is in the clouds and our club is up shit creek!

• 46 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:29

  negotiations I believe can only occur after 11pm till early morning!!

  found this if anyone is interested!?

  Explaining Ramadan

  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months. It begins with the sighting of the new moon after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact between dawn and sunset. However, that is merely the physical component of the fast; the spiritual aspects of the fast include refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of thought and action is paramount. Ordained in the Quran, the fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of God-consciousness. The act of fasting redirects the hearts away from worldly activities, towards The Divine.

  The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. It is common to have one meal (known as the Suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the Iftar), directly after sunset. This meal will commonly consist of dates, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him. Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal.

  Ramadan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. Since Muslims are commanded to fast during the month of Ramadan, it is believed that the month’s name may refer to the heat of thirst and hunger, or because fasting burns away one’s past sins. Muslims believe that God began revealing the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan (in the year 610 C.E.). The Qur’an commands: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint…Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…” (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185). Fasting during Ramadan did not become an obligation for Muslims until 624 C.E., at which point it became the third of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are faith (Shahadah); prayer (Salah); charitable giving (Zakah); and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj).

  Another aspect of Ramadan is that it is believed that one of the last few odd-numbered nights of the month is the Laylat ul-Qadr, the “Night of Power” or “Night of Destiny.” It is the holiest night of the holiest month; it is believed to be the night on which God first began revealing the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). This is a time for especially fervent and devoted prayer, and the rewards and blessings associated with such are manifold. Muslims are told in the Qur’an that praying throughout this one night is better than a thousand months of prayer. No one knows exactly which night it is; it is one of God’s mysteries. Additionally, Muslims are urged to read the entire Qur’an during the month of Ramadan, and its 114 chapters have been divided into 30 equal parts for this purpose.

  When the first crescent of the new moon has been officially sighted by a reliable source, the month of Ramadan is declared over, and the month of Shawwal begins. The end of Ramadan is marked by a three-day period known as Eid ul-Fitr, the “Festival of Fast-breaking.” It is a joyous time beginning with a special prayer, and accompanied by celebration, socializing, festive meals and sometimes very modest gift-giving, especially to children.

  When Ramadan ends, Muslims give charity in a locally prescribed amount, calculated to feed one poor person in that region for one day. This is known as fitra, and is meant as another reminder of the suffering endured by many. Many Muslims also take this occasion to pay the annual alms which are due to the poor and needy, known as Zakah (2.5% of assets).

  At the beginning of Ramadan, it is appropriate to wish Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak” which means “Blessed Ramadan.” At its conclusion, you may say “Eid Mubarak.

• 47 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:30

  no bedsheets here. likewise there is no bedsheets on nufc.com or true-faith.co.uk…
  respected newcastle fans who are switched onto the current plight we find ourselves in.

  you have to chose to ignore what has been happening in front of your eyes in favour of buying into the notion that ashley was in the process of creating an arsenal like machine..

  no director of football at arsenal!

• 48 joe // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:30

  why get excited about a 30m profit for ashley? that’s only 6 spins of a roulette wheel for him isn’t it???

• 49 GM // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:30

  Not a fan of kk coming back, wanst that overjoyed when he came back the first time, but if the club is sold, it might be an option to bring him back in more of an advisory role, bit like what he did with Arthur cox, obviously that would mean him working under the actual coach/manager but still being around the players to motivate etc

• 50 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:32

  Ashley’s only crime as it were, is he did not have Abramovich’s Millions.

  Due to this we must compete by other means, rather than buying success we breed it.

  Arsenal work on such a model. If Keegan is as great as you say he is then why is it unreasonable to ask him to do the same?

  All I read is players were sold over his head? Who may I ask was sold over Keegan’s Head? Just name me one.

• 51 wsq // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:32

  fat chance of anything happening soon.

• 52 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:35

  Michael12- 2 words for you, DENNIS WISE! how about that for a crime of judgement!

  see comment 35! your head is in the clouds buddy. time will show that!

• 53 Toon Chicken // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:36

  running your own website doesn’t make you a respected fan.

  i choose to form my own opinions anyway, and them two clowns at .com lost my respect a long time ago.

• 54 Ally // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:36

  who on here thinks a takeover is immenent, i mean by that by the end of the week?

• 55 Sniffer // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:36

  The simple answer is that Ashley knew about business but knew nothing about running a football club and especially not one like Newcastle; he paid £134million to buy the club and an additional £110million to reduce the debt. Big money… and Ashley clearly feels aggrieved that fans are not more grateful for claims he saved the club. Ashley says: “I was always prepared to bankroll Newcastle up to the tune of £20million per year” but Newcastle fans are not stupid, we did not demand Roman Abramovich-style spending; the big problem with Ashley is about his inability to see that romantic dreams. From a business perspective there was nothing wrong with wanting Jimenez and executive director Wise to search out cheap international talent which could be resold a couple of years later or developed further to enhance the team but the difference at Arsenal is that Arsene Wenger is the man in control, he is the man with the shrewd eye for a bargain; his team search out the best talent and Wenger alone will decide who Arsenal sign who they sell so this is the reason the system failed.
  Keegan was never going to accept players foisted upon him by such as Wise so how could Ashley not see this.

• 56 HeronMag // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:37

  This club is not ‘destroyed’ as some fans keep saying on this site. The NATIONAL debate that this issue has caused just shows the level of interest in this club.

  Newcastle United and it’s highs and lows are invariably national news, just as much (if not more than) as the Man Utds and Liverpools of the Premiership.

  At the end of the day the true form of football is entertainment - not business. As much as I am dismayed at the current state and organisation of the club I’m confident we will always attract fans and investment. We can all say that this saga has not been boring! What other club generates this much passion?

  The Toon will go on. It always does. Keep the faith!

• 57 Micky Toon // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:37

  If keegan wants to be in full control then perhaps he can buy the club, that way he can buy who he wants, sell who he want, write the theme tune, sing the theme tune….

• 58 UTD111 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:38

  Went to the bank this morning to try to borrow £481M. All that happened was some fat bloke with a teesside accent kept goin on about “hoiking me in”……….:o)

• 59 steve // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:40

  Keegan will always have a special place in my heart as a player and as a manager first time around however we shouldn’t be looking through rose tinted glasses

  His win rate 2nd time around was 28% to put that into perspective it was 55% first time around.
  Roeder 45%
  Souness 44%
  Allardyce 33%

  I agree we were playing better football but we need to step into reality, 6 wins in 21 games isn’t great.

• 60 Ally // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:40

  UTD111 ha ha

• 61 ObaMartins // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:40

  I’ve allready sent Mohammed Ali Al Hashimi an email asking him to ban (Tom_Toon) from the Ground if he ever gets to St James’s Park in the first instance as his is a True Blue ASHLEY Supporter.

• 62 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:43

  @Broon ale: “no director of football at arsenal!”

  That is a stupid argument. You may as well say Newcastle do not have an Adebayor.

  The model is the same, director of football or not. Who scouts for Wenger? Who negotiates contracts. Do you know that Arsenal are on a much more frugal budget than we are yet season in season out they compete.

  Why, because they are efficient. They do not follow the Model of Chelsea, Man united to be competitive. Different circumstance call for different approaches.

  Keegan has been out of football since 2005 and admitted he had not seen a game since. He was hardly poised to know who the promising youngsters are. The approach must be slightly different to gain a competitive edge, a director of football may be intended to give us a competitive edge in that area.

  Have you not wondered why Wenger mainly targets french kids? Perhaps, the job of both managing and scouting is so much that he can only really focus his scouting in one area i.e. France.

  On the other hand, the director of football was to scout the world. While Wenger’s eye is in one area he is missing other talent in other areas he has neglected.

• 63 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:43

  anyway! this is dull!

  who would you swap your missus for if you were forced to choose.

  aguilera or angelina jolie?

• 64 A.L 9 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:45

  Steve that win percentage means nothing as he was here for such a short time for it to be significant enough to judge him, and it is mainly that low due to the first 8-10 games when he came back, after those games howver we looked a half decent side.

  No-one can truly judge how well Keegan done as we didn’t play enough games with him to judge.

• 65 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:46

  Michael12- i dissagree with you and you dissagree with me therefore we should leave at that.

  ashley and his decisons are responsible for the mess we are in. i beleive you are in the minority as pro ashley.

  i want the best for the club therefore i have that in common with you.

  on with our lives!

• 66 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:48

  the problem with opinions is that everyone has got one!

• 67 dingo // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:48

  @ Broonale

  Mrs. Doubtfire

• 68 Geordie Jayne // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:48

  Ashley’s crime was to be proven over and over that he and Wise lied to us now that is a fact that can’t be brushed over

• 69 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:49

  dingo, whats the doubtfire comment mean?

• 70 capt. darlin // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:49

  I blame Keegan for the current mess we re in for walking away……. again!!! You can try and use Wise as a scape goat by he is not solely to blame. Keegan says the transfer deadline signings were not his but neither were spiderman and Colocini and no fan is complaining about them. Keegan said it was his decision to sell milner and he wanted to bring in another four players with the money but it was unrealistic considering it took us all summer to sign four players never mind two days (the remainder of the transfer window) After the transfer window closed, if KK was unhappy he could of expressed it in a different way and stayed told the fans the crack and got on with the job, which would have put more pressure on the board ie wise ashley etc to back him in the January window cos the fans would have known the score. Instead he didnt get his own way, walked and now after four games the season is a scrap to stay up, the clubs in turmoil with an owner who wants to sell and a team with no manager. We have spent masses of money in the past and all its got us is the massive debt which Mike Ashley has reduced significantly in the short time he’s been at the club. You boo boys are a disgrace

• 71 Micky Toon // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:50

  Broon Ale - I agree Ashley and his decisions are to blame for this mess. He appointed Keegan and Keegan walked in a huff.

  See how easy it is?

• 72 dingo // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:51

  it was just a thrid option over Christina or Anjelina

• 73 steve // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:51

  A.L9 - you could say the same for Allardyce
  We haven’t looked that good this season although we got a draw at Man U we had Given to thank, Bolton, Coventry and Arsenal were no better than what FatSam was giving us.

  Don’t get me wrong KK is a hero of mine for what he did 1st time around but I get the feeling people are now jumping on the bandwagon and demanding that anyone buying the club must reinstate Keegan (he did walk out after all for teh 2nd time regardless of the circumstances) He should have agreed to manage the club until we found a new managerand kept it confidential until the new manager was appointed

• 74 Geordie Jayne // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:51

  Keegan actually said he had not seen a LIVE game as in sitting in the stands…This does not mean he did not watch games on the numerous channels on the GOGGLE box like alot of people do.

  To say Keegan does not like to play young ones or not want young talent is not true. Someone pointed out on here yesterday, Steve Watson, Robbie Elliot, Lee Clarke all came through the Youth System, so that arguement is flawed

• 75 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:52

  Michael12 - Ashley’s crime?
  Lying (KK has last say on transfers said Mort and Wise),
  Tight (by own admission £12m to spend - I’d have settled for £20m by the way - no lavish spending needed)
  Uncommitted (wanted players with ’sell-on value’)

• 76 dingo // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:52

  just trying not to be dull

• 77 steve // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:52

  btw: Jolie for me

• 78 Am sick of this // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:52

  StarDust my point being who ever the new manager is not only does he have a whole mess to sort out and the ghost of keegan’s entertainers from the mid 90’s but also the new keegan debacle and as soon as things arent going well the keegan thing will be brought up
  also im of the opinion i have been since souness had the job the best man for it is ottmar hittzfeld

• 79 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:52

  Keegan is to blame.

  Dudes, the man had two choices.

  Choice 1. Stay under the circumstance he perceived were not conducive for him to work.

  Choice 2. Walk.

  As easily as he selected choice 2, he could have selected choice 1. Just as easily. The ball was in his court not Ashleys’. Had he taken choice 1, all would have been well.

  How hard is it to see this.

• 80 Micky Toon // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:53

  As I see it the problem with the summer transfer window was that Keegan obviously thought he could just belch NUFC and the players would sign. Basically what he did last time he was here. Unfortunately we weren’t “everyone’s 2nd team” (yeah right believe that an you’ll believe sunderland are a decent team) anymore and we weren’t in Europe and we were looking like relegation fodder that had a leader(KK) who admitted himself that he didn’t want to manage again and didn’t know anything about the modern game (his words).

• 81 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:54

  Micky Toon- if thats what you think… fair enough! you couldnt be more wrong like but what does it mattter.

• 82 Geordie Jayne // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:55

  Why should Keegan have stayed in the job to please whom exactly, this time when he left he let it be known why and I admire him for that, not because I want to be on some band wagon. Because I believed in him when he came back and still do, we Pro Keegan can not be knocked for not changing our stance

• 83 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:56

  I’m beginning to wonder about this blog - any Newcastle fans here? Keegan was, is and will be our greatest Manager again. Stop regurgitating media stereotypes like ‘he always walks’ like the circumstances of why he walked don’t even matter.

  The 2 times he left NUFC was because he felt WE deserved better than the current boards / owners were providing. He was sticking up for us and we should do the same for him.

• 84 Geordie Jayne // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:56

  Keegan actually said that we would not get the kind of players on his first list because we were not in Europe and he stated that.

• 85 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:56

  Micky Toon - did keegan really say that he knows nothing about the modern game or are you making it up?.. the latter i think.

• 86 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:59

  these people standing in the corner of ashley deserve a hard kick in the pips!

  it must be a lonely corner to stand in though…

  no wonder they get defensive,,, its little mans syndrome!

• 87 AndyNUFC // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:59

  Especially comment 23, i’m so sick and tired of this anti-Keegan brigade that’s developing now. I’d put my house on the if given the same money Chelsea, we’d at least get into the top 4 with Keegan. For all you know, Keegan is world class, but just hasn’t had the stage or financial backing in which to prove it. Fair enough England he admitted he wasn’t the right guy and walked away honestly, but i’m sick to the f.ucking teeth of people who seemingly know exactly how good Keegan is, and exactly what should happen to the club, because they know it all.

• 88 Tom // Sep 17, 2008 at 15:59

  Keegan IS NOT our greatest manager, at least not in my opinion MAG PIE, Sir Bob is/was.

• 89 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:00

  Keegan = Hope

  Keegan = Entertaining football

  Keegan = giving the ManU’s a game rather than turning up with a white flag

  No Manager since I was born in 1966 has done so much or meant so much to our club

  Anyone who can’t see that is blind

• 90 Shanghaitoon // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:01

  To be honest, I have to say that I’m not a fan of Keegan coming back. I think he has to take some of the blame for the current situation. I mean he walked out after the close of the transfer window, so nobody could do anything about any players. If he loved NUFC as much as he claimed, he could have swallowed his pride, Said F*** it and get on with the job of managing the players he has until January. He had no idea what they were like and he had them like it or not. They actually seem decent. OK, I understnad he wanted more control. We can’t alway get what we want in life. He made a committment to NUFC and signed a 3 yr contract. Whatever the reasons, valid or not, it was him walking that has put us where we are now. On the slippery slide to oblivion! I like KK, I admire him for what hew did in the past, but he walked again, and I think he must take some blame as well as Ashley.

  What ever people say on here, only 2 people really know the truth, Ashley and Kevin. (OK maybe Lambias too) the rest is just speculation. We need a new manager, who will bring a fresh start and re-ignite the fire in the players we have. We ain’t getting any more til January!! We need to make the best of what we have!!

• 91 Geordie Jayne // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:01

  @ MAG PIE the thing with the internet is that we are all talking to faceless people and do not have a clue if they are who they say they are or not.

  Am I a toon fan or not - who knows but me lol

  TOON ARMY

• 92 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:02

  Tom

  Sir Bob number 2 for me mate - and Arthur Cox 3 but no-one ignites the Geordie passion like KK

• 93 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:02

  yawn yawn to all the pro ashley brigade,, ignoring what has happened in front of your own eyes in favour of a self made billionaire who has no alliance with the club at all.

• 94 Tom // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:03

  ANDYNUFC

  None of us can claim to know it all, or know whats best for the club. All any of us can do is voice our opinions, and they are just as valid as the next persons. : )

• 95 broon ale // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:04

  geordie jayne,, if you’re a lass and your fit i would be happy to get to know you!

• 96 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:05

  ShanghaiToon

  What about principle?

  If I’m Manager I want to be able to do my job properly

• 97 Toon Chicken // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:05

  AndyNUFC - haha - that comment is belta…

  “I’d put my house on the if given the same money Chelsea, we’d at least get into the top 4 with Keegan.”

  I reckon you gave Nora fcuking Batty £500mil she would guarantee top 4.

  The point is that we didn’t have Chelsea’s money to spend - nowhere friggin near it actually and therefore Keegan was about as useful as that comment.

• 98 Sniffer // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:07

  Milner for £12-million..he is not that good is he?
  Spiderman and Colocini look excellent buys; problem is KK wanted two full backs a creative midfielder and a striker and did not get them…he must have been promised/expected them on 31st hence the walk-out? There is two sides MA must have looked at last season like we did and wondered..Owen, Viduka,Duff all injured and collectivly on £240K per week, Barton, Geremi, Smath another £180K per week..not good enough and wanted another way forward, problem is it seems the mgmt at NUFC do not meet and discuss.The thought of Fred Shephard coming back like a horry show sequal

• 99 Michael12 // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:07

  Lying (KK has last say on transfers) - There was no lie here. Under the model Newcastle have settled for.

  Let me ask you this, if you owned Newcastle and Keegan was you “Messiah” (manager) You gave him Carte Blanche on transfers. If he told you he was signing Teddy Sherringham, and Les Ferdinand as strikers would you agree despite having given him Carte Balnche? You have to say no surely because what benefit can they bring to the club??

  Keegan was given full say so long as the players were in line with our Model/ I.e. Young, inexpensive. If he asked for Lampard then you have to say sorry we cannot afford his wages surely.

  The money you have governs what you can do!!!! If you do not have the money for Lampard then there is nothing you can do… If I asked you to buy Lampard today out of your own finances you would not, not because you do not want him, but because you simply do not have the money.

  Tight (by own admission £12m to spend - I’d have settled for £20m by the way - no lavish spending needed)- His Plan is to sort out the books first. Remember he is sorting out a mess in the clubs books that he did not cause. If he walked in and the books were already in order then he may have had more funds to spend.

  Uncommitted (wanted players with ’sell-on value’) - Buying a club like NUFC is not a sign of commitment? If that is not a sign of commitment then I do not know what is.
  Also, NUFC is always going to be there, Players come and go some do the latter sooner than others.

• 100 UTD111 // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:08

  This discussion about whether Kevin or Sir Boab was our greatest manager………
  What about the managers who actually won the league or the FA cup for us?
  What about Joe Harvey - who actually won us a European Competition??

• 101 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:09

  OK - quick history lesson for the young and the stupid

  Keegan quit 1st time around because the board told him he had to sign a 10 year contract because they were about to float the club on the stock exchange and needed to show that the club would have stable leadership for a long period. KK could not commit for 10years - who could?! - and did not like the constraints that public ownership would place on the club. In PRINCIPLE he felt it was wrong and when he refused to sign for 10 years he was asked to go. He did not sue for compensation - he left.

  A man of principle and not guided by money. If only Mr Ashley was of the same type.

• 102 Toon Chicken // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:13

  Cheers for the history lesson MAG PIE you condescending tw@t!

  Which history books is that big steaming pile of horse sh!t in anyway - I must remember to take it out next time I’m in the fantasy section of the library!

• 103 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:13

  Michael12 - Keegan wanted Cuellar and Warnock - too much to ask?
  He didn’t want Gonzalez - too much to ask?

  It is a fact that Ashley’s crew lied about transfer policy - one statement sais KK had final say and another said he didnt - simple

  Ashley’s comittment ? 18 months long. double your money type of comittment

• 104 MAG PIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 16:14

  your wel