It’s clear that older players getting near the end of their contracts on Tyneside, may become extremely vulnerable.
Mike Ashley – tight financial controls at Newcastle
Newcastle are signing young players on long term deals, and when you look at the financial situation in football, that makes a lot of sense.
But extending that same concept to older players like Fabricio Coloccini, Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Jonas Gutierrez, then Newcastle will always have a decision to make on whether to extend their contracts, or try to sell them.
It seems that in both the cases of Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton, they wanted longer extensions than Newcastle were willing to offer them, and Kevin decided to take a five year deal at West Ham, for a massive £55K/week.
That was rather than accept a one year extension at Newcastle, which would have kept him at Newcastle until the summer of 2014, but he was also given less wages than West Ham offered him.
But remember Kevin could always have stayed on Tyneside for another two years at his current deal of around £50K/week.
And Joey was offered a two year extension on his deal which runs out next summer, which would have kept him at Newcastle until the summer of 2014, but Joey again wanted a longer term deal and didn’t get it.
We fully expect Joey to be shipped out this summer, even if it happens on the very last day of this summer’s transfer window – and that’s even though Joey wants to stay at the club.
It seems that the owner is very aware of the awful financial situation he inherited at Newcastle from former Chairman Freddy Shepherd, where established players were hardly worth the huge wages Newcastle were paying them.
It seems to us that Mike is adamant that situation will not happen again, and remember Newcastle had the sixth largest wage bill in the Premier League, when they were relegated two years ago.
And whether you like Mike Ashley or you hate Mike Ashley, the owner has every right to feel that his players let the club down two years ago – certainly most fans think that’s what happened.
Fortunately or unfortunately, this is the way world football is run these days, and at least Newcastle are getting their financial house in order early, and other clubs will soon be forced to do just that, by the new Financial Fair Play Rules UEFA will introduce starting next season.
Whether Newcastle’s new way of operation can also lead to a much improved side next season we don’t know – but we’ll be hoping that’s exactly what happens.
Comments very welcome.
209 comments so far
MattCastle90
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Comment #81im so bored of every article is just an excuse to moan about ashley its relentless and its a shame coz the blog itself and most of the commentors are fantastic. people just wana dominate a thread until everyone agrees with tbere idiotic opninon
DJM TOON
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Comment #82people who believe MA is “taking money out of our club” or “lining his pockets” clearly know sod all about company ownership
ultimately, everything that comes into and goes out of the club is recorded… he cannot just “dip his hand into our coffers to line his own” because then when NUFC books come out, as they do each year, there will be discrepancies.
do you not understand this very simple fact?
our club is in debt, simple as,
MA wants to clear that debt… with a large chunk of which we owe to him so fair enough… i want the club to be debt free… we will become one of a very small amount of premier league clubs that will be able to operate like a professional company, ie, not have to pay our debtors every year and in essence sapping our spending power in the transfer market.
jackdnufc
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Comment #83G
This is what happens when nothing else is happening I’ve found. Ridiculous. Hopefully there will be a bit more movement by the end of the week.
AndyNUFC
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Comment #84It’s a simple matter of opinion but I can’t see how people can complain about who Ashley has been buying!! Whatever you want to say about expense cutting fine, but don’t tell me we’re missing out for not splashing 10mill+ on the Ben Arfas, Tiotes, Ba, Cabaye etc..
DJM TOON
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:37 PM
Comment #85if thats the case vive, then we need to move as soon as chelsea bring in their reported new strikers
sturridge would be awesome i reckon
belfastmagpie87
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:38 PM
Comment #86we need a new player in,to lift the mood.haha
Graeme
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:38 PM
Comment #87Solano 72 – good for you mate
Its easy for me not to go, I work outside the UK, but he gets no money off me when I’m home!!
jonny_ringo13
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Comment #88http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everything-Newcastle-United-20112012/169761986420510
THERE SHOULD BE LOADS OF CASH AVAIL BUT WE ALL KNOW HE WONT SPEND IT
OttersPocket
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Comment #89DJM, Matt, Andy
The likes of Solano and Geoff will be bigging up the new players if we start well, seem like the type that jump on any bandwagon that is passing by.
jackdnufc
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Comment #90Although on that note, DJM is correct, even if you happen to disagree with Ashley’s decision making which is something altogether different.
What on earth happened to the Naylor deal? It’s gone completely off the radar even though it was very close to happening.
AndyNUFC
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Comment #91Oh and people saying Sturridge – can someone check reported wages? I do not see, even with his age, a Man City turned Chelsea player who didn’t command a transfer fee (?) being on cheap wages.
G
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:40 PM
Comment #92The way I see it, DJM has hit the nail on the head with ‘facts’ rather than ‘theories’. If people wish to organise boycots etc, then carry on, the only people missing out are the fans, or the amount of people working at the club who will lose their jobs due to being un-necessary expenditure. You simply cannot hurt a Billionaire, and so far evidence available points towards clearing debt, and that cant be a bad thing for the club can it?
OttersPocket
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:41 PM
Comment #93Jackdnufc,
Someone mentioned the Swansea Chairman being on holiday so cant sign deal off yet.
OttersPocket
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:41 PM
Comment #94Andynufc
I think when he signed it was reported he was on 60k
belfastmagpie87
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:43 PM
Comment #95sturridge is on 60k a week,it said that,at the tribunal.
i think theres no chance on that deal.
do you honestly think ashley will spend,
big money on the 1 player???
jackdnufc
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:44 PM
Comment #96Cheers Otters. At least that’s a reasonable excuse for it not occurring yet! I think Sturridge is on around £60000 (according to the mail). He would push our wage cap to the limit at least.
jackdnufc
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Comment #97He may be happy to drop wages in return for large bonuses? At least he would be guaranteed football week in, week out. I also couldn’t see the likes of Bolton really wanting to match those wages either.
AndyNUFC
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Comment #98Yeah sounds probably right for Sturridge. So to entice him from a Champs League club with suitors probably in Europe already, we’d offer him atleast the same, if not more, with incentives. That’s where the idea goes out the window, unfortunately! Good player, aint worth 60K.
DJM TOON
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Comment #99last thing on Naylor was the swansea chairman being on holiday and not signing it off until his return… make of that what you will… think i read that on here so take it with a pinch of salt
belfastmagpie87
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:50 PM
Comment #100i think chelsea will bid,sturridge + cash,for modric.
thats my prediction.haha
GoalsBringSmiles
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:50 PM
Comment #101And out come the Apologists…
ocorious
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:50 PM
Comment #102I think it’s impossible to fully understand the situation from the outside. However, I can foresee the possibility that next summer when some of the other teams are having to cut some players from their wage bills (like we are doing now) to comply with Financial Fair Play, we’ll be in prime position to capitalize. Yes, those players won’t be looking to have their pay cut but we’ll have the stability to make that exceptional 1-2 purchases. I just bought my dream of seeing NUFC play in KC, USA.
Never thought they’d come near me. I’m heartbroken not to see Kevin Nolan or the other idols that might no longer be with the team. However, I’m remaining optimistic about our future because as far as I can tell from across the lake, the soul and spirit gets ingrained into the players that pull on black and white by merely playing at SJP.
It’s the summer. All we have to go on is speculation and hopes. To not be philosophical about the upcoming season and to come to positive or negative conclusions already would stand in contrast to the reality of the situation: “who knows what will happen?”
belfastmagpie87
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:51 PM
Comment #103if that happens, im putting itk after my name.lol
MattCastle90
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Comment #104as much as i think sturridge is a decent player right now… by no means is he the finished article and to spend that sort of money on a guy who isnt is a risk…. i think its a risk i wouldnt take if im honest… with the price of english players being rediculous atm. as someone else said earlier hes undoubtedly got potential but we could possible pay 15 million for him and he might only get 8-10 goals next season we just dont know….. but then maybe im just completely underestimating the current transfer value of players and being naiive to beleive we could possibly get a 15-20 goal a season striker for 10-15 mill… we never know if BA stays fit he could be banging them in for fun
jackdnufc
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Comment #105I think I would still be happy enough to see a 15m gamble on Sturridge but all that may be asking a bit much anyway!
solano
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Comment #106G, thought you were bored on the subject? even though it is actually on topic! I stand by my statement of FACT that the debt remains – it is there in the limited accounts that have been released. I don’t accept that you can’t hurt a billionaire….but it is difficult – Liverpool fans showed that by a concerted effort they could have an effect and play a significant part in the change. My point is, many of the anti-Ashley fans are complicit in the continuation of the regime by continuing to shell out on season tickets et al – and I do understand that predicament…I merely ask, when will the penny drop that we are not going forward under this guy? Many say let’s wait until the end of the window, well ok – but if it all ends up in tears again, I hope some can show the bottle do something about it.
AndyNUFC
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Comment #107Matt tbh mate that’s nearly the lines of exactly what I was going to put.
I think it’s a good thing fans are seeing the prices and wages players are going for at the moment, despite whatever hype they have, and realising ‘hmm, this could actually be a bad move’.
At NUFC, we know more than most what the penalty of naively ‘buying names’ on big money for success will bring.
geoff777
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Comment #108@Otterspocket
The likes of me will be cheering any signings and giving the team a fair chance to perform.
I’ve been coming on here long enough for my views to be well known.
So you don’t need say things like “The likes of Solano and Geoff will be bigging up the new players if we start well, seem like the type that jump on any bandwagon that is passing by”
Any one who comes on this blog knows that this is just not true.
I hope both Solano and myself have more credibility on here than that.
You’re posts are too much like “club spin”, I think you’re a fake.
arfa chance
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Comment #109http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/502942104?-11058
Stat based comparison between Ba and carrol. Carroll scored more goals in a side set up to play to his strengths and passed more. Ba was fouled more so got in defenders faces more and was more clinical in a shite west ham team that had their heads down. Fair play to the lad
leeb1982
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Comment #110When will people realisewe dont have £35 million to spend on players we have that amount to cover signing on fees and wages so in truth we will be lucky to see 15 spent and thats maybe why these high earners are been shipped out to try and release more into transfer kitty rather than fees and wages
jackdnufc
Jun 24, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Comment #111solano- what if it all works out?
MattCastle90
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Comment #112i get what everyone thinks…. 35 mill plus the expected 20 mill so potentially 55 mill to spend…
how many teams outside the top 5 have spent that in a summer in the last 10 years..
i’d guess none we r a midtable team right now and people think we r guna go out and risk spending 40 million….
G
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Comment #113solano, I’m neither agreeing, nor disagreeing with you. The only thing I would say you are wrong on, is that you can hurt a billionaire. MA has proved he is far too ruthless in business matters than to let protests bother him too much, like I say, he will merely cut overheads further. I just don’t think we can change what is happening regardless of the situation. By all means, plan for the worst and hope for the best. The fact is, that in a few years at this rate we will be debt free, and that can only be good for the club right? After all, the reason the club wasn’t sold in the last 2 ‘broadcasted’ sales, is that the debt was attached to the purchase. Worst case scenario, is that the club is run as a viable profit making business, which should hopefully lead to new ownership sooner, rather than later. Again, this is speculation on my part, but it is speculation based on simple mathematics and limited information available. I don’t want to get into an argument over this, it’s just an opinion.
solano
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:01 PM
Comment #114Otters (88)…you didn’t answer my q but through an insult instead! If you can get the sand out of your eyes I have acknowledged that cabaye is a good player and no-one will be delighted if we hit the ground running….I just think that this particular thread is actually looking at the so-called “big picture” – if we do get off to a flyer and our foreign legion can negotiate the hard winter then under the current regime, and in line with club policy, we will then start looking to move on our better players for profit. I ask again, is that what fans of the third largest club in Eng-er-land want?
Thump
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Comment #115~Vive la révolution de Châteauneuf~ said:
From Nyctoon’s link
The only good thing will be we’ll fill the ground and that will be a nice change
hahahahaha, oh the unwashed…
“We believe the Stadium of Light can become a stadium used solely for concerts, giving us precious revenue to use in the transfer market. We are provisionally looking at alternative sites for a smaller stadium in the nearby towns of Hetton le Hole, Houghton le Spring and have the possibility of a ground share with nearby Seaham Red Star. Our fans shouldn’t worry, we’ll find a stadium worthy of the club, its history and fan base.”
This reminds me of the joke after the Take That concert:
The Stadium of Light saw it’s highest ever attendance thanks to a Take That concert, with 10,000 people packed in to the stadium. Unfortunately Titus Bramble was playing them all onside.
Wor lass lives in South Hetton. It’s bad enough knowing their reserve ground is 15 minutes up the road whenever I’m at hers 🙁
solano
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Comment #116I know where you’re coming from G …but surely the worst case scenario is another relegation fight and a load of foreign plyers wanting to jump ship asap…remember that? Then your still large debt makes you doubly unatTractive to more ambitious suitors.
GoalsBringSmiles
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Comment #117Jackdnufc
goalsbringsmiles:
“I blame him [Ashley] for everything that has happened in the 4 years of his tenure, because he is directly responsible for it”- solano at post 61.
What exactly is your point? If you read the posts correctly then you will see that I criticised Otters claim that Solano is blaming ‘everything’ i.e. ‘the root of our problems’ on MA.
dave 1961
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:07 PM
Comment #118I have a good chuckle to myself when people start to go on about the fair play for European football, has anyone actually read the new rules, and listened to Platini and his use of the word could (could be banned). the top teams are taking no notice at all as they will just start a breakaway European super league, they are just waiting for any excuse to walk away.
G
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:09 PM
Comment #119Fair enough, relegation is another fear I didn’t take into account, but again, looking back to the books, if we do get into that end of the table again, we won’t have the third highest wage bill to go with it right? That way, it’s feasible we could still operate within the restrictions that a relegation would present, albeit within a far less profitable margin. Again, this is speculation, but so far the fact that MA seems intent on shipping out all the high earners in favour of younger, more saleable players, then we would (presumably?) survive it should it happen.
Thump
Jun 24, 2011 at 5:09 PM
Comment #120The funny thing about “Ashley being at fault” is that he appointed Dennis Wise and sacked Keegan – that’s all he did. Fact is we’d been scrapping relegation at some point for a few seasons. Maybe Keegan could have kept us up but what would that have done for us? We’d still have the huge wage bill and Ashley would, at some point, have to tighten up the purse strings anyway. Relegation just brought that into the frame a lot sooner.