It will not have gone unnoticed by Newcastle fans that the Newcastle squad has already been decimated by injury and suspension, and Kevin’s pleas for a bigger squad still went unheeded by the powers that be, at Newcastle.
Kevin Keegan – always wanted bigger squad – where is it?
While we have to say we have been impressed by the caliber of player that Newcastle brought in during the summer, we just don’t have enough players in the squad, and that’s something Keegan had been saying since he arrived at the club in January.
It also didn’t help selling one of our best youngsters, James Milner, right at the end of the transfer window, without ensuring we had a ready replacement lined up. Another mess up no doubt.
Kevin was dead right about all of this, and he didn’t want to lose Milner, and was probably right about a lot of other things that were discussed behind the scenes with Ashley and his cronies.
We have to think that Kevin just got sick of having people around him who had no idea about how to manage a football club, and he just got sick of the whole situation.
Now Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton, has been given the shovel to try to clean up the mess, and is of course without several key players against West Ham tomorrow in London.
We have injuries to Viduka, Martins, Smith, Beye, Gutierrez, Enrique and Barton and Guthrie are suspended. That’s 8 first teamers not available, with a chance that Martins may just make the game tomorrow, and Duff has just returned from injury, but of course both players are short of match practice.
Chris Hughton said today:
“As soon as a decision is made on who will be the permanent manager, the better.”
Hughton and the Newcastle fans will be hoping for a major improvement over last weekend’s performance, and even though we are short of players, there’s still a chance we can get something from this game.
But the lads’ mental state has to be a lot better and more positive than it was last Saturday, against Hull City.
Comments welcome.
40 comments so far
Magpie For Ever
Sep 19, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Comment #1Thanks very much for the trip to UAE this week.
I think at first a lot of the general public not afflliated with our club thought we were wrong to protest against you , you being a self made billionaire who saved us from oblivion surely we should have been grateful and not question your greater judgement over ours.
And as for the shareholders who invested so much into your great creation of Sports Direct only for the shares to plummet so you can buy them back at a 3rd of their worth ..surely they are just cry babies and its their own fault.
or the wearing of the home shirt and buying all the rounds at Biggs to be seen as one of the people ..or drinking the beer in the Emirates in full view of the camera’s then claiming you thought it was non alcholic even though the Emirates dont sell non alcholic lager ( save that one when your pulled over for drink driving )
Offering our club to anyone with enough money to take it like a whore on heroin , asking for 480mill for a club thats been valued at 200 mill , going on the piss and having your photo taken with all and sundrie in bars when trying to gain the respect of muslim ( non drinking ) potential inverstor’s.
A Dubai-based source said: “To be honest, the whole thing’s become a bit of a laughing stock over here. Firstly, nobody just flies over to Dubai and gets to meet the type of people that Mr Ashley seems to have been interested in linking up with. “That just doesn’t happen.
Gordon Brown couldn’t just jump on a plane and speak to them – so I don’t know why the owner of Newcastle United thought he could.“ And if you are trying to set up meetings, you do it discreetly. “You don’t go having your picture taken in a bar at goodness knows what time of the evening.”
Thanks you Ashley ..I was begining to think it was me or my friends the other fans of the club that got it wrong but know you have shown the world that you are
a Clown, a pisshead, but most importantly a compulsive gambler ..this cheers me up as they say the house always wins and i want to be there the day you lose it all and wonder how the f**k it all went wrong.
neeraj
Sep 19, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Comment #2BIG SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JimToon
Sep 19, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Comment #31sssssssssssssssssssssssst!!!!
JimToon
Sep 19, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Comment #42nnnnnnnd
Hugh Jorgan
Sep 19, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Comment #5Wrong JimToon
Secccccccond !
KENNY
Sep 19, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Comment #6the blame lies at ashley&co door for this…
Ian
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment #7Well we will see what happens from now on, if the club is steady stays in the premiership and plods on or if we end up in the relegation zone with an emptying stadium.
Lintoon
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment #8Lets face facts lads. MA isnt going to sell anytime soon nor does he look serious about it the greedy B45t4rd. The lateset Middle East saga confirmed it for me. To go across there and end up in a pub is taking the p155. And to set the figure at 481 Billion is just a joke. He wants to double his money or nothing. He’s not bothered if he cant sell. He’ll be happy to spend very little and reap the rewards of a loyal fanbase. I even think he would be content if we went down. ie no expectations, lower wages/fees, and a full stadium every week. Just like his sports shops, lower end of the market but still extremely profitable (He’s a billionaire ffs). That’ll be us.
He’s had a number of chances to take the negotiations further but just dug his heels in (If the media is to be believed).
I just wish he would cut his losses now. Just sell up. Make your little profit MA and Foff. don’t be greedy, make yourself a quick 20 million and close the door on your way out and take those 2 other pr1cks with you.
toon mad tom
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment #9mike ashley better lower the price and sell the club quick before we do more protests!!!! we’re gettin more angry as each day comes….another player out>>>>smith ffs
rab
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Comment #10Its great small squad, worst injuries in the PL, no manager, only two coaches, no money or potential money until chairman goes, would you put money in the club following the fans protests etc, I would not
Newcastle United Injury list
H Beye Achilles Tendinopathy 5th Oct 08
A Smith Achilles Tendinopathy Dec 09
J Gutierrez Shoulder Injury 5th Oct 08
J Enrique Hamstring Injury 27th Sep 08
D Duff Knee Injury 20th Sep 08 doubtful
O Martins Groin Strain 27th Sep 08
K LuaLua Sprained Ankle 5th Oct 08
A Carroll Ankle/Foot Injury 27th Sep 08
W Ngo Baheng ACL Knee Injury Jan 09
M Viduka Achilles Tendinopathy 25th Oct 08
lesh
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Comment #11Deja Vue….. again!
Lintoon
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Comment #12And another thing. All these young, up and coming stars we are buying are only profitable pawns. He’s only going to sell them on when they come through. The James Milner sale proved that. Back to being a selling club. Please, please, please no-one accept the bull that comes out of MAs mouth. Don’t accept the spin and settle for second best. We need to go forward. every club has to keep on top of the game and we are not. He’s playing a profit game. Plain and simple. He has to go.
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE. GET THEM OUT.
dave v
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Comment #13An under strength team and players brought in without his expressed permission were the reason he walked.
Ashley is in the dudu because he thought the Arabs are stupid and would buy Newcastle for an inflated figure. He knows the facts now.
They have had decades to invest their oil money and are exceptionally good at it.
I only hope they don’t think Geordies are Londoners.
JH
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #14I agree with KK that the side is too light and the fact Ashley, and cohorts failed to keep the first team up to strength, against KK’s requests.
However, we are where we are and Saturday is on us – I remember how Roeder stepped in with a decimated side, the morale of the side was’nt too good either – carefully ruined by that man Souness – Roeder didn’t use the huge list of injuries as an excuse he just got on with it – even though he may have had some help from Shearer but he was the stand-in manager.
Hughton has to be positive and believe he can get something out of this game and every game for the players to respond, we have proved that the fans are behind them.
BTW It’s good to hear Ferguson and Wenger coming out and supporting KK.
Toon Graeme
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Comment #15Same Toon different day – need I say more
jules
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Comment #16I live near London and am a Newcastle fan. Please don’t tar everyone with the same brush as Ashley because he comes from the South/London.
The reality is, a prat is a prat wherever they are from!
I am looking forward to the day he (and they) go as much as any Geordie
Taiwantoon
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Comment #17Ppl have to realise that MA likes to take a chance. ie he likes gambling so much. He was taking a chance with the small squad, and he is losing, the fans are suffering
Marty
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Comment #18MA knew this would happen.
He`ll be lucky to get 150MILL when we get relegated because of a shortage of players,i would hate to see it happen but he certainly deserves it for sure.WHAT A PLONKER
Ian
Sep 19, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Comment #19Funny that we have two coaches which is the European system and no-one is saying that will work well.
Yet when anyone talks about Ashley and his ownership, up pops the brilliant less debt and it is a sensible move?????
Surely they would be on here saying, how well this sytem will work??
Whre are they??
Rasko a.k.a Hadji
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Comment #20I am so so pissed with MA,nothing would give me a bigger satisfactory than to buri him alive in SJP football pitch in front of 52 000 people.
Ian
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Comment #21I am right though arent I?
There are a few people on the finance and Ashley comments supporting the European system, KK cant manage that way today etc etc, it needs a director of football it works everywhere else and so on.
Yet here we are on a blog with no-one about except the fans and no-one is saying that we have coaches this is the same as the succesful European structure and it will work just wait and see.
Just shows that we do have people on the blog just stirring trouble or supporting Ashley.
Like before now I have written this we will see them appear appear with excuses, I hadnt time to reply yet, I work and so on, just watch.
ObaFan2
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Comment #22Lol Hadji…
Although KK has had his critics he was doing a good job at SJP and the team had been performing well.
So why on earth did Ashley and his cronies ignore KK’s experience and skill and not strengthen the squad as KK wished… it’s beyond me.
Now we’re stuck with ANOTHER season written off… fgs I aint got many years left in me and each year is just a bloody waste. There’s also another chance we will be fighting relegation… again!
Ashley sell up NOW, we will continue to protest, you fat waste of space, until you and your mob have left our club.
SKIN D
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Comment #23all will become clearer in the next few weeks for me,if we start getting beat by all unsundry ,he,ll be looking for the door quicker.
if things pick up he might dig in for the fight,but i think it will be the first point.
i just dont see the team winning many games at the moment with the squad being so small.
the pressure will keep building on him,and he will be faced with a tough decision.
this might be when he cuts and runs
Toon Graeme
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Comment #24I was going to post about the size of the team, MA selling and the manager situ – but you know what – I cant be AR5ED.
What is the point?
We know the facts – we know what needs to happen.
We have to wait………………………………
Our team is NOT joining the fizzy pop league!!!!
Kayazirie
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Comment #25🙂 Hadji
Although Id love to see that too, it would create one ell of a mound to play around, no?
MA reminds me of Francis from Pee Wee Hermans Big Adventure. Just a spoiled fat kid with too much money and not a drop of morals. Next time any of you Geordies see him, fatten his lip up for me. Im in the US, but Id love to see it in the headlines soon. What a horrendous __________ .
straff24
Sep 19, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Comment #26hi you lot up there, just been reading about you might be getting david odreary, if you do you will be well and truely f*kc, we had him at the villa and he ripped the soul out of the club the guy anit got a clue, hope you dont for your sake………..utv
Micky Toon
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Comment #27SKINNY D – You say that, but I thought Ashley didn’t care about the club? Why would our results sway his decision to sell or not?
Micky Toon
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Comment #28straff24 – Our soul was ripped out a long time ago.
irish_al
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Comment #29ian, richard money is academy director, chris houghton is a coach and caretaker manager
most clubs have many coaches, usually 5-10
are you confusing a coach with a head coach?
I agree that the squad lacks depth, i however don’t know why this was not addressed
in the interest of debate didn’t Keegan say he would only bring in players if they were better than the ones we had, perhaps he was unwilling to back down and bring in squad players
i am not saying this is fact, it is not even my opinion, but it is a possibility
Jon Goodwyn
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Comment #30The newly formed Newcastle United Supporters Club has released a statement in the Chronicle today, it can also be found here. http://www.newcastle-united-supporters-club.co.uk
Please sign up to the website to register your interest as being part of the Supporters Club.
Cheers
TOONPIPES
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Comment #31BET IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT
Ian
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Comment #32Irish-al, it should still be ok, they arent horrendous coaches, and a coach that would work under a director of football may be slightly higher quality but, the whole argument in other blog was that a full manager was not required a coach would work, these are coaches.
Now it comes to football related blog and the positivity has gone.
Where?
Surely all of the pro Ashley and Wise etc should be telling us how this system is going to be the making of us?
The players were good enough on other blog, the squad was big enough on other blog, the prices paid for players etc was a brilliant idea and so on, the coach system will work, so come on all of those people show us how we are going to climb the table, it was all going to be brilliant everywhere else.
irish_al
Sep 19, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Comment #33i don’t consider myself pro or anti keegan or ashley
i don’t think things are as simple as that
Ian
Sep 19, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Comment #34irish_al, I didnt single you out, you replied that is why I put your name down.
So where are the pro Ashley system in the football blog, the player purchasing was good, the coach system is better, well here it all is, they should be leading the blog, where are they??
Nowhere to be seen, just us football fans.
Like I said before Ashley and Wise cronies and other teams fans or argumentative types causing bother because they arent here now.
Not so quick to point out the merits of this system with a match on its way. We have gone from the top of the table to the bottom and the matches have got easier.
irish_al
Sep 19, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Comment #35in the interest of debate houghton as caretaker is not the same as a model involving a head coach/manager and director of football
still don’t get the thing about two coaches either
liverpool had evans and houllier as joint manager, thats not the same thing as director of football
which other examples were you thinking of when you mentioned european clubs with two managers/coaches?
i can’t think of many
Micky Toon
Sep 19, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Comment #36Ian – “Top of the table to bottom” You make it sound like it’s the last month of the season and we’ve lost 12 in a row.
We lost a game we shouldn’t have, but we also drew a game we should have been hammered in. That’s football.
Ian
Sep 19, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Comment #37irish_al, all I am saying is this is the system that the pro Ashley lot kept arguing that was supposed to be good, it is all in place where is their positivity??
They presumably will look for a permanent coach but they may not this arrangement may stay.
If this is what they wanted where are they??
If they say these coaches arent good enough, then what quality are they expecting?? Not manager quality or then they are on to our side of the argument.
Mickey toon, that is always the case at the start of the season, but it is a fact.
So I take it Irish_al and Mickey toon like this set up?? Or not?
irish_al
Sep 19, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Comment #38ian, i think your trying to put words into their mouths
i’ll answer for myself, i won’t assume others agree with me and i don’t feel the need to second guess them
I am happy with a head coach or manager
the fact that everyone works well together and are capable in ther jobs is more important
managers still have to work within contraints of budget and such
Keegan has always had money to spend even at the likes of fulham and man city
Maybe he was not the ideal candidate to work within budget
maybe if we hire him as head coach we would be ok
It’s a bit of a myth that managers have the final say on transfer dealings
The player, their agents, and the chairman all have a greater say
the problem is not whether we have a manager or head coach, it is whether people can work together or not
irish_al
Sep 19, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Comment #39houghton would not be my permanent choice for either role
i don’t know who i would like to be manager/head coach though
whoever does best in the interview, whoever the interviewer is going to be
Ian
Sep 20, 2008 at 7:37 AM
Comment #40looks like you are alone, the coach idea was great while defending Ashley but not on the football blog.
No second guessing needed there is no one else here.
There would be a list of reasons how this will work and their arent.