It will soon be obvious how a Championship team has to run its business, and no wonder there is such a gap between Championship sides and Premier League sides – and that gap is money.
Nicky Butt – key man for Newcastle next season
It’s fuelled by the amazing revenues the world-wide TV rights bring into Premier League clubs, and it’s the most popular football league in the world – and the best too. Yes, we’ll get some arguments from out Scottish friends up north – we know. 😀
But Newcastle will not get any of that money next season, but we do this season, based on whatever 3rd bottom gets – in fact we believe the relegated teams get the same amount.
Job number one next season has be to get out of the Championship and back to the Premier – but we shouldn’t assume that will be a piece of cake either.
However, if we can do that then next summer Alan can do what he should have been doing right now – building an excellent Premier League side.
When you think we needed just 6 points of the last 18 to survive and couldn’t do it, it’s humbling to say the least. But we didn’t do it and we are where we deserve to be right now – in the Championship – so we’ll just have to get on with it.
It will surprise a lot of fans that Alan sees Harper, Butt and Steven Taylor as the spine of his side for this coming season. If that’s the level Alan is thinking we should forget about promotion right now.
Nicky Butt? The man is in his last year of a contract and he’s 34 years old heaven’s sakes, and has already lost his legs, as Alan has even admitted to. So we don’t think this will help the mood of Newcastle’s supporters one little but.
Hey, maybe the Championship is so hopeless that Nicky will be a star again – and we can be like Manchester United in the Premier – now there’s a thought – but we know that’s not true.
We are not getting at Nicky as a person, or even as a player either – because we know full well he is very experienced and that will help us next season – no doubt about that.
And Nicky has the heart of a lion – too and Alan will have the squad fitter than ever, before the start of next season so that after 45 minutes of play – they will not be worn out – as we are told they were last Sunday. Please excuse me while I go and vomit in the toilet.
Important players to us for next year would have included Habib Beye, Sebastien Bassong, and Andy Carroll plus some others. And of course our great youngsters in players like Nile Ranger, Tamas Kadar, Ben Tozer, Haris Vuckic, Kazenga KuaLua and the like, could now come through to the first team much quicker that they would have in the Premier League, and it will give the youngsters some good experience.
In fact this season will be a big chance for our top youngsters at the club.
And the Journal is saying that Doncaster Rovers’ midfielder Brian Stock may be a target – but we have never seen the 27 year-old play so we cannot say too much about him. Have any of our readers watched Brian?
Some familiar names from the Championship are starting to pop up again as potential summer targets – such as Sheffield Wednesday’s left-back Kyle Naughton, and striker Simon Cox, of Swindon. We profiled 22 year-old Simon of Swindon Town last January, and he’s a prolific striker at the lower league levels, and could even score in the Championship we suppose.
The Journal also mentions 30 year-old Jason Scotland of Swansea City – but what scares us about most oif these players is they couldn’t hack it in the Premier League, and we’d need to rebuild most of the squad again if and when we are promoted.
We would hope that Alan will hold onto more players at the club who have proven they are completely committed to Newcastle United like Harper, S.Taylor, Butt, Nolan, Guthrie (he should be great next year), R.Tayor, Duff and Seb Bassong – if we can keep him.
What will be interesting is how many new players Alan will bring in – and if that is restricted – then that will tell us he has every confidence in the great youngsters at the club. That could save the club millions and millions, and we’d also like to see the Youth strategy continued, but even expanded under Richard Money.
It’s already starting to pay off because it’s hard to argue against the success the policy has already shown.
It may be an exciting summer, or it may also bring us right down to earth – given the type and quality of players Alan can attract to the club. If we can be like Manchester United in the Championship, maybe we can attract some of the best young players – and that would be good.
But it’s clear we will have to cut our coat according to our cloth – and the cloth available to us now isn’t as good as in the Premier League – but that’s what happens when a bunch of gutless players get the club relegated. 🙁
Comments welcome.
51 comments so far
dougnufc
May 26, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Comment #1If Nicky Butt is our key man next season…it means we will have a team of Ameobi’s….
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Comment #2Ths further reinforces my point that Shearer just doesn’t know what he is doing. He didn’t have a clue whilst the season was still in progress and he still doesn’t now. Sticking with him will be a big mistake as i cannot see him bringing us straight back up. We need a proper manager with proper experience. Shearer needs to go and learn about management in the lower divisions. The championship is not going to be easy.
Tommyy
May 26, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Comment #3Possibly he will be used as a key example to more youthfull players? similarly to Gary Speed at Sheffield United last last season.
ginkoh
May 26, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Comment #4Are you serious ? Butt deserved to be on the bench at best. He is good defender midfield but no more than that.
What’s point if you win tackle and always lose the ball? If he will be our first team even in Championship we’ll hopeless as same as before.
HE’S THE ONE OF OUR WEAKEST PLAYER EVER !!!
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Comment #5Time for youth,no room for Butt.
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Comment #6We should go for Roberto Martinez. He plays football the right way, is experienced in the Championship and we could probably nick a couple of Swansea’s players.
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Comment #7Let’s get the Swansea Manager.
And give him some reasonable wedge to spend.
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Comment #8same page SJT
Davies
May 26, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Comment #9This is what’s been said in the press. I won’t believe anything I hear until I see players in black and white shirts.
Nicky Butt could prove invaluable in the development of new midfielders. There are going to be a lot of new faces and Butt, though not one of my favourites on the pitch, will probably help a lot of those new faces bed into the team.
For all his yellow cards and poor passes, he usually has at least half a match in him where he plays the way he should. I reckon he’ll probably retire at the end of the season, and I’d be happy to have him around in a coaching role after that.
Bet Ameobi wishes he’d signed for Stoke now.
Flan
May 26, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Comment #10I’m not Butts biggest fan but i’d have him next year before i’d have Nolan. I can’t understand why you keep mentioning him as someone we should be keep next year he is fu(king usless.
Jamesthefirst
May 26, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Comment #11Funny that people are talking about Roberto Martinez. He was strongly linked to take over before KK came back, and said he’d love to manage Newcastle (in a press conference).
But thats when we were in the Premiership.
Stardust
May 26, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Comment #12Well I have been offline for a few days and came back on expecting to see a barrage of negativity.
I have just finished reading all the threads and I am over the moon most are using this as an opportunity to be positive.
I hope I never see again the scenes of destruction this year where fans were against fans, fans against the owner, fans against Keegan, Fans against Kinnear.
Our only job is to support unconditionally, like the love for a child, it makes mistakes but as long as they were made with the right intentions and they learn, they should be forgiven.
Newcastle “United” are a tough club to beat, maybe just maybe this is the start of a great future…….
Irish-Toon
May 26, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Comment #13I agree with Dragonera and SJT, I was championing Martinez when we got Allardyce in. His team plays football the right way
Stardust
May 26, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Comment #14Whats the general consensus on Keegan folks? Do you think he should continue to kick us in the teeth in pursuit of 8million or should he back of knowing he was at least partly responsible?
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Comment #15Been a positive couple of days stardust…think we have all had a chance to reflect and look on the bright side.
We need a new dream…it starts here 🙂
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Comment #16Stardust
No doubt that has already been settled outside of court. KK can f**k off! He is a money grabbing waster and should have never returned to begin with.
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Comment #17At least we are all on the same side again (kinda). Getting our asses kicked everyweek and battling for survival every year was turning the fans against each other.
sahota
May 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Comment #18Guys keep your cool. Its very early, we should not get into any news we are listening these days. I think Shearer is right appointment if made. Reason is : All Newcastle fans will be patient for Shearer to succeed. He will learn the management in championship. He will have good people around him with lot of experience, that should be enough. One thing you can see after he came was that all players tried to give their best. We got relegated as the players were not good enough for PL and also our strikers were not able to score while on paper they were good players. Just be patient guys , now is time when we don’t just try to make decisions in a hurry, What if it takes 2 or even 3 years to get back. I would say be patient, build good nucleus of young players, get back with a BANG in PL and buy 4-5 good players then of PL standard. Even if he wants butt to be there, so be it. Shearer will know in just 10-15 games whats it all about in championship. I know Butt didn’t played very well but don’t you think he still might be valuable in Championship. I will leave it to Shearer to decide. I am sure Shearer will have a backup for Butt as he knows he can not play week in and week out 90 minutes.
Toon_Factor
May 26, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Comment #19If Butt is Shearers main man than he has shown he has no clue about how to be a manager, butt is the worst player maybe with the exeption of Ameobi in our team and should just retire
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Comment #20With regards KK we don’t really know what went on..my impression was that he was undermined but I don’t know that as fact.
Tricky one…I would probably have him back though as I think he would bring us back up where we belong.
Can’t see it happening though..not in this lifetime 🙂
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Comment #21If Shearer is appointed then so be it…I would prefer an experienced manager like a Martinez that has an idea of what is needed at championship level…it is not an easy divison to get out of as we all know and I think tactics will be the key to get back up to the top.
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Comment #22NUFC should read this…
http://www.itv.com/Sport/Football/News/ChampionsLeague/Manualstories/ITVSpyBarcainjuriesgiveManchesterUnitedtheedgeawarningforNewcastle/default.html
Stardust
May 26, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Comment #23Re the Shearer appointment – I think he is best placed to learn in the Championship. I understand about the calls for Martinez but stability is key here. Shearer will get more time off our fans than anyone, and to be fair we have a “small” reputation for being xenophobic and fickle.
Martinez would be slaughtered if things didnt go well after 6 games, Shearer would be allowed much more time and for me thats the main reason I want him to be appointed.
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Comment #24I would have Martinez over Shearer or even Coppell over Shearer at this moment in time…the championship is a whole different ball game and we will be a big scalp down there.
My mate is a birmingham fan and when they went down they where the big scalp and he said teams that they played put in 110% like a cup final every game.
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Comment #25People need to understand. Championship is not a place for learning. It is a tough league and Shearer has only won one game out of 4 winnable ones.
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Comment #26Don’t get me wrong I will not be disappointed with Shearer being appointed I just think we should take stock of what else is available.
sirjasontoon
May 26, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Comment #27Agree Dragonera…we need to start the new season all guns blazing and hammering teams like we used to.
geordie jock
May 26, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Comment #28Come on lads you’re getting carried away if Shearer stays and wants Butt so be it, every manager probably has a player they swear by who the fans hate. Shearer hasn’t even taken the job, yet the knives are out, Fickle fans or what. Oh and i’ve been guilty of that as well in the past Time now to take stock, keep calm and see what the future holds, you never know it could be bright ( and this from an Ashley Hater ).
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Comment #29No knives are out and i am not fickle. I just don’t want a reoeat of the KK incident, heart over mind. Rather than make a knee jerk reaction, we should wait a bit and a make a sensible decision.
beyethegreat
May 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Comment #30if shearer gets the job then that will be great i will support him though admitadly i would prefer martinez’
though if shearer comes in it is a win win situation if he does good and gets us promoted then obviousely thats a good thing but if he does bad then atleast people wont be giving it the shearer shearer shearer chants
beyethegreat
May 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Comment #31dragon
unfortunately we dont have time to wait
Geordiedoonsooth
May 26, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Comment #32Most of the people who come on here can’t be REAL Geordies & Real Fans of the toon. Shearer is the right man for the job & yes we need to keep Nicky Butt next season as his experience will be key in what I believe will be a mainly very young side. Support the team & Shearer wee all need to be behind as Shearer said on Sunday what is need aer people who are passionate about this club both on & off the field
Dragonera
May 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Comment #33Geordiedoonsooth
You always come on here spouting sh*te! If we don’t blindly support Shearer when there could be better options then we are not proper fans? You are an idiot.
sahota
May 26, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Comment #34I think we need to be just bit patient. Everyone who is Newcastle fans is hurt badly by this relegation. If Shearer wants to get the Newcastle job, give him, as I mentioned earlier, its not like just Shearer doing the job. He has around him people who are experienced in championship and he might get 2-3 more support people around him with lot of coaching experience. The main thing again will be HUNGER of players. If we have players hungry enough to get back in PL, then it will happen. Thats main job of Shearer, get rid of people who are not keen to fight and get on board some new faces who will fight like anything.
Johno Toon
May 26, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Comment #35I can see why Shearer would keep butt , dont think he is one more than 40k he is a senior player and to try keep as much stability as possible becasue there will be a mass exudos and rightly so ,
We are going to need to buy 3-4 established championship players who know the league and know what to do , get in 2-3 highly rated youngsters and promote the likes of ranger lualua etc etc into the first team. Get rid of owen viduka martins collocini jonas barton mclovin cacapa and try hang onto bassong.
The dream starts now
Johno Toon
May 26, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Comment #36throw smith in there as well
Whumpie
May 26, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Comment #37One part of this big clear-out that I’m all in favour of: losing some of the pathetic excuses for supporters that we’ve seen this year, especially on this blog (no offence, Ed).
Look at some of the Butt-bashing (ooer missus) on this thread. I agree he’s made some bad passes, but what Big Al has realised is that he’s going to need people with the right attitude, and that has been too few this season.
He also knows that the Championship is a tough, ugly league where youngsters will be torn apart if they don’t have a tough, experienced player next to them.
Whether that’s Butt, I don’t know – and neither does the journo who made the story up (really, Ed – you’ve been in the USA too long and have caught the gullibility virus!)
For me, Shearer is doing exactly what’s needed: It’s not about tweaking the side or going for speed on the wings or analysing pass success rates. In other words, all you armchair experts knocking every manager we get can now go and take a jump of the Tyne Bridge. You have helped to bring about our situation with your constant, ignorant heckling.
Right now, Big Al clearly knows that fixing this club is about kicking out the dozens of hangers-on that the club has accumulated in all roles and levels over the past 5 years. Then he knows how to replace them with a core of people with a genuine and unquestionable passion for the club.
To do that requires the one man on earth that represents that mind-set best. Can anyone suggest anyone else who could get the likes of Gary Speed, and call on the wisdom of Sir Bobby whenever he likes? Who else could stand a hope of retaining the services of Bassong? Do you think Taylor would be as committed if Martinez was his new boss?
Right now, I don’t care what management experience Al has, because he’s making all the right noises and doing all the right things. Best of all, where he lacks knowledge or experience, he plugs the gap with the right people around him.
If only Ashley had thought like that, we’d still be a Premiership side.
geordie deb
May 26, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Comment #38Dragonera
I can’t see that we have time to sit around and wait. The championship season as you know starts early. The players are back on 1st July (or whichever ones are left) for preseason. Shearer has come in and took stock of the club and knows what needs to be done. While undoubtedly there are more experienced managerial options out there we need to have some kind of STABILITY at this club. Shearer may not have been everyone’s first choice because of lack of experience but if he is offered and accepts the position we all have to be behind him, no whingeing from the fans and undermining, that has been a big problem for years and we need to stop it. If he is the manager he gets my 100% support
geordie deb
May 26, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Comment #39Whumpie
Agree 100%
Whumpie
May 26, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Comment #40Ta, Deb. Love a good soap-box rant, me.