The fact that Newcastle seem not willing to give manager Chris Hughton any capital to strengthen the side with new players in the summer, may not be as bad as it looks, although we are not going to defend not spending any money at all this summer.
Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias – nothing for transfers at all?
But on the other hand, we don’t think things are going down the toilet at the club – two good loan signings and two good free agents – plus a couple of up-and-coming teenagers brought in during the summer, and we’ll be in good shape.
You have to remember that Newcastle are not like ordinary promoted teams, who have hardly played in the Premiership, and have lots of players who have never played at the highest levels of English football before, and are untested.
We have Harper, Coloccini, Taylor (S) Enrique, Barton, Smith, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez, Taylor (R), Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi who have all played at the highest levels of football for most of their careers.
Last season was the first time for most of them not to play at the highest levels, and of course they showed they are indeed top class footballers, when playing second division football. They were just too good at that level.
We would have liked some transfer money for Chris to spend – but we also think he needs only about £10M to get what he wants this summer.
And we have a feeling that money may even be forthcoming – as long as Chris gets two good loan signings in, and then completely trolls the free agent lists and no suitable players are there, or available.
Mike Ashley wants to own a Premier League side, and he’s not stupid enough if Chris comes to him with a plea for transfer funds – and that plea is a solid and warranted one – to turn Chris Hughton down.
The new Newcastle manager has gained tremendous credibility in his season in charge, and for good reason, and he’s a sensible, down-to-earth and honest man – one that we think Mike listens to.
We’ll see – but now’s not the time for Newcastle fans to mutiny again.
It’s a new way of doing business at Newcastle United – probably the right way – and after all, the old way never brought us success did it?
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Ericles
May 11, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Comment #1I agree with Ed about our Premiership experienced players. To campaign next season we must not sell any players who we need for a good run. The good point is that we have a set of players without any divas amongst them. What has emerged is the professionalism of staff and team. That is a result of CH’s work. If we do get some extra players it is obvious they will be as Ed says. Without wanting to upset the apple cart it might be worth trying to get Kieran Richardson from the mackems.
Hugh G Hampton
May 11, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Comment #2“But on the other hand, we don’t think things are going down the toilet at the club ”
Actually, “we” do and we have thought so ever since the FCB came to the club!
Davies
May 11, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Comment #3Huge Hampton: “We”?
Sorry mate, I agree with Ed.
On the other hand, I note Leeds, according to a “source” are interested in Ameobi. Wonder if some business could be done for Beckford.
I know he’s untested at Premier League level, but Shola, as much as I love him, hasn’t exactly set the EPL alight before.
BeeGuy
May 11, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Comment #4I think that MA is on the right course, but would be better able to judge if I knew what the other PL clubs have for payroll.
From my college accounting class (which I was abysmal) capital investment meant cash from new investors or out of the owners pocket. New revenue streams (TV & shirts) and player retirement or sell-ons could well be used for acquisitions, as these would not represent “capital investment”.
freddie
May 11, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Comment #5Rubbish! The players may have prem experience but they showed when relegated that they are not good enough at that level. If no money is being made available then we can look forward to Ameobi again gracing the premier league. What a wonderful thought that is. The loan players who will be available will be the kids from the big teams like arsenal, spurs and chelsea who arent good enough for there parent club so they get farmed out to lesser clubs to see if they can cut the mustard. Sometimes a real bargain can be found such as hart who was loaned out to birmingham but this is rare. And if like hart they turn out good , the parent club will take them straight back. Does anyone else think that 10 mill would be enough to strenghen a promoted team bearing in mind the types of players the club can actually attract. Jamie Ohara from spurs would be an astute signing but spurs will want about 5 mill. That leaves 5 mill which will buy you nothing these days.
freddie
May 11, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Comment #6Apart from another ohara. lol
Solaidback
May 11, 2010 at 1:46 PM
Comment #7What capital investment mean is, unlike what FFS did & spent the £17m on Owen, Ashley will not give all the money from NorthernRock to CH at once, as the £10m sponsorship is over 4 years, so CH will only get £2.5m this transfer & so on, not the whole £10m, same as the new kit money, he won’t get it all in one go, he’ll get it spread over the time the sponsorship is instead…
So CH will get some monies for transfers, just not a ‘capital investment’….
Mr Books
May 11, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Comment #8Capital expenditure has nothing to do with where the money comes from or over what period of time. Capital expenditure is the purchase of assets. The purchase of a players registration for a football club is a capital expenditure.
The statement quite clearly states (to accountants lol) that there will not be any signings except for free transfers and loans. It says nothing about raising funds through sale of players, but having read the directors report preceding the accounts filed at companies house I would not hold my breath on that.
Sgt. Heagerty
May 11, 2010 at 3:29 PM
Comment #9Look lads, i love newcastle united..Except for my wedding and the birth of my little girl, and the birth of my son when i was in iraq, when newcastle won promotion this year it was the happiest day of my life. I just knew that the only football club i have ever loved was finally gonna get it together. I thought Mike ashley had finnaly gotten it. But obviouslyt not. Don’t get me wrong i like the idea of the club becoming profitable and debt free. I am also completely for being smart as far as buying players and running the club within are means. I would even go along with running the club on a shoestring budget for several years to get us even steven again. But the fact that ashley is putting his finances ahead of our club is attrocious to me. Sale the club you cockney b@#$^d. I am begging somebody who cares about our club to buy this conartist back and save are club. We cannot break even if we aint in the premier league. I think the current squad we have can compete in the prem league but we don’t have any depth and injuries happen. Why risk getting relegated again? Last though, i am calling on the fans to stay with the team regardless of ahley. DDo not protest on gameday. We need to support our troops and the toon army is gonna have to carry this team to safety in the upcoming season. Without are full support we will not make it….
HWTL
cupiddstunt
May 11, 2010 at 4:23 PM
Comment #10To quote “”Hugh G Hampton // May 11, 2010 at 12:00 PM
“But on the other hand, we don’t think things are going down the toilet at the club ”
Actually, “we” do and we have thought so ever since the FCB came to the club!””
Actually “we” don’t and I think the larger portion of the fan base realise the way we were was not sustainable and happy that the house is being put in order.
Pity about the tunnel visioned few who some of which have already mentioned Europe it’s about time you woke up and smelt the coffee, we do not need large investment to stay in the prem so lets have a season in the prem and the money it will bring MA will start to be able to see where he can recoup some of his outlay and still be able to take the club forward.
WLtoon
May 11, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Comment #11Good sentiments Sgt.Heagarty,but if MA is sitting at the game with a grin as wide as a cheshire cat when the lads are struggling to survive on the pitch,how would most fans react? NUFC fans love the club but sometimes contemption can dictate how fans react. I think Cashley will end up staying away from games just like he has in the past. It cud be deja vous unfortunately and he,ll have nobody to blame but himself.
fongct
May 11, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Comment #12I agree that he can get his money back, and our club should be self-sustainable…but he gets the timing all wrong…he just cant do the right thing at the right time…our next 2 seasons are one of the most important seasons in our history, why can we guarantee our PL status first in our next 2 years, and then he can get his money back, 30M in two years while he can secure at least 120M+ in the next 2 years, and then he can running the club on a shoestring budget…that is simple math really
very simple now, he has created the negativity, he is gambling our PL status for getting back his money….no excuse…f him