This summer has been a lot different than last summer, when we brought Yohan Cabaye, Mahdi Abeid, Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba into the club before Saturday 18th June, a day I remember very well for various reasons.
Mathieu Debuchy – Newcastle still interested?
This year we have so far signed three young players in Romain Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimnana and Curtis Good, but they all look like they will turn out to be excellent signings for the club, and they cost only £1.4M for all three.
Good business by Newcastle, but it seems that other clubs are becoming wise to Newcastle in the transfer market and are demanding higher fees for their players.
That’s maybe because the transfer people at Newcastle – Alan Pardew, Graham Carr, Derek LLambias, Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley – are so good, that when they go after any player they must be good, even better than their clubs think – so they raise the price.
With deals we got for Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and others over the last few years, it’s small wonder that other clubs will try to get more money off a surprisingly successful Newcastle club, considering where we were a short three years ago.
In case you had forgotten – we were down and out, and wondering whether we could survive in the Championship in the upcoming season – but thanks to Chris Hughton, Alan Pardew and others, Newcastle are flying high.
Newcastle have done fantastically well these last three seasons, but we haven’t come up trumps with any of our top targets this summer so far, and there’s also very little news around, about where we are in our pursuit of Mathieu Debuchy, Vurnon Anita, Douglas and Andy Carroll.
We think Newcastle will be willing to go with what we have at center-back with James Perch – the great Perchinho – and Curtis Good backing up Colo, Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson, and if Douglas sees out the last year of his contract at FC Twente, expect Newcastle to try to get him in as a free agent next summer.
Or even pay out a nominal fee in January to ensure they get him.
Vernon Anita – he’ll join Newcastle or Milan or stay put at Ajax
Ask me another
That would not be unlike our pursuit of the great Papiss Cisse, and that turned out very well, even though Newcastle fans were frustrated we didn’t bring in a top striker last summer for a fee – to replace big Andy.
Where we are on the Debuchy saga we have no idea, but we think Newcastle are still interested, and the next week should decide where Vurnon Anita ends up, with Newcastle in with a decent chance, but it seems that AC Milan are also interested.
And then Andy Carroll seems to be settling in at Anfield, so we don’t know what could happen there, but don’t be surprised if Newcastle go in for him on the very last day of the transfer market – Monday 2nd September – to try to get him on a loan deal, with the option to get him permanently next May.
Nothing seems to be happening with Marseilles striker Loic Remy, but it’s when things are quiet that Newcastle will announce something big, and we trust they are working hard behind the scenes to try to get two or three new players through the door.
So things can still work out well for Newcastle this summer, but trying to be patient when nothing seems to be happening can be difficult – at least for me it is.
Here’s hoping.
Comments welcome.
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63 comments so far
jonny-intense
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Comment #41A couple of hours to go
Londtoon
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Comment #42To further ibizas point I think it is not about the expectations but the crowds support. If our expectations get in the way of our support on match days that I believe can throw the team off of their game plan
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comment #43Londtoon…Perhaps I should expand…i think that’s one of many reasons why we did / are doing so well. There isn’t just one factor.
Graeme
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Comment #44LGFUAD21,
I would play Debuchy or Mbiwa at FB; Douglas at CB alongside Collo and Anita alongside Tiote in front of the back four.
That would allow Cabaye to play as the playmaker at the base of a 4 man diamond. It strengthens the defence by a huge margin but also opens up the attacking play and the transition from defence to offence.
There is so much more to Anita than wasting him as a CB in my opinion!!
Slank
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Comment #45Beattie @ 12
‘…Chelski spent over 30 million on one player..’
Liverpool spent £35 on one player and the rest is history. Wait till the end of the season to see whether Chelsea paid about the right amount or too much.
Chelsea nearly allways pay large amounts because all selling clubs know that Chelsea have pots of money and so they hike up the price.
LGFUAD21
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Comment #46Premiership Manager
Did you even read the rest of the comment on why i wouldnt want him back?
Munster Mag
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Comment #47For some reason I got stick yesterday for saying that Cabaye wouldnt fetch 30 mill in the transfer market ?? He wouldnt , and using Henderson as a comparison is spurious ……any purchase by Liverpool should be ignored. Naturally like the rest of you, I have no inside info, but I stand by my opinion of Ashley as a transfer market operator as stated before – ie if he sees value, he pounces ( even if it involves solid outlay ) , but seems reluctant to pay around 7mill or 8mill for any player who is worth that money, and is in the middle of a contract. Thus, he doesnt mind paying say 9 mill on Cisse, because his market value dropped, and he’ll snap up youngsters with potential ( all good stuff by the way ) , but I still feel there is an intransigence when it comes to paying out the (say) £7-8mill required on a guy who is worth this, and protected by contract. In fairness, much of the mess may be down to Lille’s chairmen, but I dont think so. I dont have an anti Ashley agenda, at all, and much prefer the way the club is run now, but I think we could have signed up some good players now, without being conned out of millions, before now . Remember, its relatively recently that we panicked and tried to get Ruiz at the last moment, and I’m not sure that there isnt a better player than Douglas out there – in other words, surely Carr knows plenty of commanding centre backs, yet we were left to carry on with 2nd teamers like Perch and Willo last season. Am hoping for the best, but I can only imagine that Pardew wishes he knew his troops would be, ideally before now. Here’s hoping.
fog on the tyne
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Comment #48@ lfguad
I simply cant understand why ur sayin lpool and spurs are a big club, they are mediocre teams which are in transformation. Modric is leaving so they will be so 1 dimentional itll be like watching stoke in white. Both managers only have 1 style of play and cant switch the style very well. At least when we need to we can pump the ball in the air, ok admitedly it not pretty but WE do make it affective.
I’m one of the few on here who thinks caroll would be deadly for is given the players who have joined since his departure.
Krul
Simmo saylor colo santon
Tiote
Marv Cabaye
Cisse. Benny
Carrol
Ben arfa would play in hole sort to speak and cisse would be pushing on ahead looking for lay backs and flick ons from the big lad, all this shit that carrol needs the ball in air is crap, he is mint at coming deep to get the ball on his toe and knocking it round corners and holding it up, which would sllow our full backs and middle 3 to bomb on on to channels and split defences to allow cisse to pick up the scraps and hit the odd blockbuster.
jimmymagpie
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Comment #49Beattie – it’s been quiet mate, because Llambsarse has been swanning round the venues at the Olympic Games, and Ashley has been devoting his time to the investment with Rangers. I don’t know what it takes to make some people on here realise that NUFC are no more than a small arm of the Ashley BUSINESS empire. He has absolutely no emotional attachment to this football club, even less to the city and region, and positively dislikes Geordies. Listen carefully to what Pardew said after the game on Tuesday. My own daughter saw Llambsarse at the Velodrome with his wife, watching the cycling, and a near neighbour, whose name you would all know, saw him in the corporate area at a GB men’s hockey match, all which was alluded to by Pards on Tuesday. Today our casino owner is in Lyon for the European draws – another jolly!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Comment #50Munster….It’s not that he is worth £30m or that’s what a team would offer, just possibly Mike would hold out for.
What do you think his “real” market value is? I’d say £15-20m? Given he is an establish international CM and on a decent length contract.
So, surely starting bids would be about £20m. Is it so much of a stretch to think we would hold out for nearer £30m then?
We’re probably discussing peanuts 🙂
I can understand your reasons for having some doubt as to whether players will be arriving and the reasons for that, however, we shall see. I remain confident bodies will get over that bloody line that has so many on here wound up.
pawl250
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Comment #51Fog on the Tyne
Awful, just awful.
Everyone has and is entitled to an opinion mine is the above
We would be overpowered in midfield as Marv wont/cant defend well.
ALSO why has everyone forgot about Demba Ba the guy was a god in January, granted his has had a goal drought but 1 goal will change that!
I would be happy with any formation providing we have 2 men upfront, Cisse and Ba! Deadly combo if you ask me, one that we have not seen the best of either!
Mark my words!
PW
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Comment #52you guys keep falling for the lies. There is NO money available as usual and the only way they will do any business is if another team crumbles to their pathetic offers! Dont build yourselves up for new signings because were done in the transfer window. Lets look forward to the spurs game and lets back our reserves as they prepare for europe! Asking far to much of the kids this season in my opinion
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 10, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Comment #53Jimmy….No one is under any illusions with regards to what Ashley and Llambias are about, they are business men. Why would they have an emotional attachment to the club? They do have an interest in the club doing well however and can amazingly conduct business from anywhere in the world…even the Olympics.
You may be proved right in the long run, although, personally I have my doubts. We will not be able to judge the Ashley regime fairly until some way down the line (different from the transfer line incidentally 🙂 ).
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Comment #54PW….So no money is available, but if the low offers are accepted we’ll get players? If there is no money and we’re being lied to, where will the money come from for these “low bids”?
I think a lot is being expected of the younger players too to some extent. However, it’s not like they’re expected to win it. It will give them great experience, however, it would be better for the team to get some first team players in the competition and try and progress through it past the group stages, let Europe know we’re back.
TorqToon
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Comment #55I think so many people are judging the Ba and Cissé partnership based on last season. Let’s not forget (…as I have said before!), Cissé came in and came into the fray immediately, as Besty picked up that injury. They barely had any training time, and rarely played together for Senegal. What is different this time round is they have had playing time together, probably know eachothers style inside and out. With training an practice/pre season matches, they have been allowe to play together and I feel they have done well. So many people leave Ba out – yet were cacking it when we heard about his release clause!! Double standards!
Trust me; Pards will know what he is doing and if he says the Ba can play a central role with Papisto – then they can forge a dealt partnership before! Give the lad a break fellas! HWTL
Szarka
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Comment #56I saw Anzi play in EL, dont be afraid of them. Eto is still a class player, but the full team is weak, more like 11 men then a team, and only few good names.
TorqToon
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Comment #57PW – Neggers aren’t needed on this blog fella! If you are proven right then fair play…but I don’t think for one minute you will be. IMO
As for Anzhi (sp) – I think that they would as much want to avoid US as we do them!!
jimmymagpie
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Comment #58Morning Ibiza – you may well be right mate, but most club owners either already have, or form an attachment to their clubs, even Abramovich. If business can be done from anywhere, where don’t the dreadful duo spend more time in the city, and get a real feel for the area. Llambias is the only chief executive in the Premier League who isn’t on the premises at least 3 days a week. After all, he is ultimately responsible for the admin of the club, and just as an example, yet again thousands haven’s received their season tickets just one week before the first match. Third season running that this has happened.
Rotonda heights
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Comment #59Jimmy
You have it on good authority Ashley hates geordies do you. Give me strength. He seems to get on fine well with Beardo amongst others. If you’re going to continually trash someone at least stop inventing crap. He may have been upset with a few loons who threatened his family, who wouldn’t be.
Rotonda heights
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Comment #60jimmy
If ashley wasn’t in Lyon you’d ask why he wasn’t!!!
JustStu
Aug 10, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Comment #61I’m honestly not sure who we’ll get in or if we do get some players in. I do know that our current squad, although very good, lacks the quality that Chelsea seemed to have added to their squad. Considering we finished above them last season I feel if we don’t start the ball rolling with some senior transfers soon then I think we could drop atleast one place on last seasons epic 5th place finish. Apologies for the negativity. Fingers crossed we get some transfers completed soon.
KenyanMagpie4Life
Aug 10, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Comment #62Have to bring in new players quickly, the transfer policy has been sound so far but it can only get so far. 1 or 2 maybe 3 quality players at 20M range would add CL chasing quality to the existing squad. Roic, Debuchy, Anita Douglas, Llorente….
HKTP
Aug 11, 2012 at 1:25 AM
Comment #63@PW
Just because we haven’t signed any of our major transfer targets, it doesn’t mean that we have no money. We are learning from past mistakes and not paying over the odds, I for one think that its a great policy getting the financials right before committing more. If you are after the good old marquee signings, then I’m afraid you are in the minority rather than majority these days.