The Newcastle United Blog

58 responses so far ↓

• 1 Beattie25 // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:15 AM

  There will be a lot of injuries at 11.01pm on Friday of we don’t sign anyone.

  Beattie smash!!!

• 2 Beattie25 // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM

  It’s good to hear that Cabaye is fit.

  He’ll fly through his arsenal medical now.

• 3 Transfer Sage // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:18 AM

  On debuchy

  Tonight Lille play the champions league play off 2nd leg.

  They are a goal down and if they don’t get through they will be missing out on 20+million.

  Hopefully we can pounce on a deal for debuchy then.

• 4 bazrazmataz // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:19 AM

  Lile will beat Copenhagen at home with ease its not like they are three nil down

• 5 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM

  Disclaimer: Readers are reminded that Ochy’s following post is only a hypothetical situation and should not be taken as a cry for Pardew’s head. Ochy takes no responsibility for any diarrhea, injury or death caused by the following post.

  Hypothetically, if Pardew were to be sacked or leave, who would you like as his replacement (realistically). To be honest, as much as I hate the bloke, I’d rather Harry Redknapp be our next manager.

• 6 nicktoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:22 AM

  Ss say debuchy door closed

  http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8029858/Debuchy-door-remains-closed

• 7 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM

  Beattie….Depends on the point I was arguing my dear Beatrice.

  Ambition and strengthening are two different things, as you point out.

  People were questioning Ashley’s ambition. If he had no ambition for the club would we have acquired Cisse, Cabaye, Ba, Santon, HBA, etc?

  I have clearly said we need strengthening, mainly FB and CB. Why we don’t have them yet, I really don’t know for sure. Probably Mike being cheap, but this was not the point I was discussing.

  On ambition again, I think last summer showed some real ambition by the club, however, you cannot live off that for years to come, I don’t expect to be saying in 10 years “oh yes, but remember that one summer, I think it was the summer of 2011, we did some good business there like”.

  Think I’ll save comments on transfers until the window closes then assess how I feel. This constant bickering between fans is getting silly when no one knows (and I’m pretty confident that not one of us really knows) what is going on at the club.

• 8 Transfer Sage // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:25 AM

  His comments on the SS article suggest we might get him f they don’t qualify

  And while they should win at home if they concede an away goal it becomes very tricky.

• 9 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:26 AM

  Beattie…On Ruiz…Can we not ask the same question? Prove there was no bid?

  I do understand it may have just been a publicity stunt to say “well, we tried”. But that too is speculation, so perhaps we should just drop it.

• 10 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:30 AM

  Ibiza
  Convenient that there have been “late bids” for N’Zogbia and Ruiz. To be honest, they were both very high bids so their respective clubs had no reason to reject them (you could argue against that in the case of Whelan but still).

• 11 SupaToonKid // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:30 AM

  I will not say anything about our progress in this transfer window as there is still a slight opportunity of additions but if we do not sign anybody there will be nuclear explosions on this blog.

• 12 jimmymagpie // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:31 AM

  Beattie – why the gnashing of teeth? I told you that Pardew was told to make do 3 weeks ago, and that prompted a row between him and Llambsarse, and a delegation of players led by Cabaye telling him how disgusted they were at the lack of investment. As usual, you amongst others abused me – my integrity intact, your abuse uncalled for! Cabaye won’t be here much longer because he is livid that the reason given for not signing his pal is because at 27, he is too old to bid more than £5m for. No footballing reason of course, just financial. To those saying that Ashley has turned this club around – you muppets! A 12 month profit/loss account shows a small loss, and celebrations. Look at the balance sheet, you idiots, £145m in debt, and he’s been here 5 years and sold off every off field asset the club had, and cut the admin staff to such lengths, that thousands don’t receive their season tickets on time, yet again, and unless you’re dead lucky, nobody to answer your phone calls. AND, don’t forget the £1 tax on fans buying away tickets. If the Government did this to you, you would be spitting blood. Now, say what you like, because I’m logging straight off, but I couldn’t resist one last ‘told you’.

• 13 jesperfuglsang // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:33 AM

  Welcome back jimmymagpie I thought we had lost you mate

• 14 quitesimple // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:33 AM

  tiote doesnt get injured

  injuries get tiote’d

• 15 jesperfuglsang // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:36 AM

  (laughing silently in silence) Beatice…HAHA…HAHA…now that’s funny!

• 16 tooninspain // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:37 AM

  Quite simple…..you sure are mate.

• 17 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:38 AM

  Ochy….I’m not saying they were or were not legitimate bids, but they would be late, seeing as we sold Carroll late. End result is, i’m glad we didn’t get them that January, we benefited in the long run.

  Jimmy…..I’d say welcome back, but it appears you’re not back, just stopping to the level of those who you have criticised.

• 18 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:40 AM

  JimmyMagpie is right. We must rid our club of the cancer that is Mike Ashley. Trying to follow the Arsenal financial model doesn’t work. Look at them now, selling off their best players because their refusal to invest well has prevented them from challenging for trophies. Our players will get tired of an unambitious board and leave. Mediocrity from now on under Ashley.

• 19 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:41 AM

  I agree. Ashley out. Last season was so mediocre.

• 20 jesperfuglsang // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:43 AM

  Let us calm down now shall we

  Wooza…now take a deep breath everyone…

  How do you feel now?

• 21 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:44 AM

  Ibiza
  Last season was great but it was more down to luck than anything. We were lucky with injuries and some how got results against teams when we played crap. Add to that that we actually strengthened last season and you have the reasons we did so well. Now all the teams around us have bought in good players and you still expect us to challenge? I can’t see it. However, I will more than happily eat humble pie if I’m proved wrong.

• 22 Valci // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:45 AM

  Ochy – sorry mate but i strongly disagree. I’ll take the Arsenal model over the ManCity/Chelski model any day. Clubs like ManCity, Chelski, Real, Barca, PSG etc etc are the real cancer in football today. They are the ones that have driven transfer fees and player wages up over the past decade. If it were up to me FIFA’s FFP rules would be strictly enforced and clubs that don’t/can’t comply kicked out of all international competitions.

• 23 Beattie25 // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:47 AM

  Ibiza

  Regarding Ruiz my sentiments Exactley.

  Regaring ambition/strengthening. I think that by strengthening you show ambition. It’s sometimes not the players name that comes through the door that indicates ambition. Somethines it’s just surveying the horizon, noticing what the club needs and having the ambition to rectify it. For me it sounds like Ashley has said ‘well I showed ambition last year so why should I do it again? What do I have to prove if I have shown it before?’

  That’s not good enough and by not rectifying the areas we need to strengthen is a complete and utter lack of ambition. For me they are the same thing.

  Southampton signing Gaston Rameriez shows ambition but without strengthening all areas it is small ambition.

  My ambition in life is to be the best I can be and I’ll take every opportunity to be that, learn from my mistakes, take every opportunity to strengthen my weaknesses and always look to improve so I can be the best I can be. Once I’ve done everything I can I’ll leave it in the hands of fate to determine my success.

  The same should apply to nufc. If Ashleys sports direct empire had the opportunity to strengthen do you think he would do the sane as what he is doing now with our club?

  Anyway I’m stil confident!!

• 24 Markaccus // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:49 AM

  So much negative here today. Its like a photographers dark room

• 25 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:49 AM

  Valci
  Oh I agree that PSG, City etc. Are immoral and have caused the ludicrous prices we see today but trying to keep a healthy balance sheet is the other extreme. It takes away your teams competitiveness (see Arsenal) and eventually, players just get fed up. I’m not asking MA to spend hundreds of millions but just to make £15/20 million to keep us competitive with the teams around us and hopefully, allow us to push on even further.

• 26 Tooooon // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:50 AM

  Beattie – Thanks for that spiritual comment, very awe inspiring.

• 27 Markaccus // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:51 AM

  On ruiz, I for one I’m glad that the bid (if there was one) failed. He’s a big pile of disease ridden wnak!

• 28 FatmanJoe // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:52 AM

  Let’s not turn on each other, that’s what they want.

• 29 jimmymagpie // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:53 AM

  Ibiza – last season mate, believe me, we had an awful lot of luck in a good few matches. I stood at Blackburn getting my boll-cks frozen, saw us totally outplayed. Blackburn miss a score of chances, Krul play out of his skin, and we won 2-0. That happened a few times last season, plus a keeper, who alone, on Pardew’s admission saved us 15 points at least. Don’t take my word for it, remember Pardew this summer, the defence is my top priority, we definitely need to strengthen at the back. This was after he had seen us ripped apart again at Wigan and Everton. Where are the defenders that Pardew said was a priority? Nobody, and I mean nobody, has supported this club more than me through more downs than you younger ones will ever know, but even I am beginning to wonder why I am bothering at the moment. Believe me, Cabaye isn’t the only one beginning to realise that the likes of Enrique, Barton, and Nolan were right about this club’s ownership. Ashle couldn’t give a sh-t whether we finish 5th or 15th, as long as we stay in the Premier League.

• 30 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:54 AM

  Ochy….”we actually strengthened last season”. So last year he was non cancerous, but this season he is?

  I said it earlier that I think we’re mixing two issues.

  One being Ashleys long term ambition for the club and the other being whichever current transfer window we’re discussing.

  I just don’t see how people can say he has no ambition. Might not be shooting for the top, but we have improved.

• 31 Valci // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM

  ochy – imho Arsenal are competitive within their means. They finished 3rd and are constantly in the CL while still having a financially sound model. What is so wrong with that? … Like i said… i’d take that over the likes of ManCity any day. And i will admit that they are having a rocky start of the season but if i’m not mistaken they didn’t start last season brilliantly either… factor in 2-4 new players in the first team and you understand how they might need a bit of time to solidify as a group. I wouldn’t call them uncompetitive though.

• 32 bro56 // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM

  chairman on Debuchy

  Seydoux, though, maintains that he will not be forced into a sale and remains optimistic regarding Lille’s chances of turning the Copenhagen tie around.

  He told L’Equipe: “If we fail to qualify for the Champions League would I be forced to accept Newcastle’s proposal? You know that I am not very flexible when it comes to business.

• 33 jimmymagpie // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:56 AM

  Valci and Ochy – I agree 100% with what you BOTH say. On that note, bye!

• 34 ppb // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:57 AM

  boy jimmy has become a right bitter old sod.
  ok lets see cabayes disgust and no.more investment. bearing un mind the transfer window still open.
  plus i couldn’t give a monkeys because our squad ain’t bad anyway. we’re stronger albeit with senior less numbers

• 35 Beattie25 // Aug 29, 2012 at 10:58 AM

  Jimmy

  Great to have you back and I completely agree!

• 36 Toonboy_84 // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM

  Just logged in lads, was in a great mood. But after reading a few posts, I’m off to hang myself! Anyone available to kick the chair from under me?

• 37 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM

  Ibiza
  Last season we used the Carroll money and money from the sales of Nolan, Enrique etc. To strenghten. I doubt that much of Ashley’s money was used in the purchases of Cabaye and the likes. I don’t think MA intended to be ambitious but rather to gamble on us staying in the Premier League. It paid off more than any of us thought it could. It is not ambitious to recycle funds from player sales to fund new signings as at the end of the day, your generally still in the same position (roughly the same number of players) although we did get lucky that all of the players we brought in were in form last season. Might not happen again.
  Cisse is the only exception that I still can’t work my head around.

• 38 Beattie25 // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM

  We didn’t strenghtnen last season!

  We improved the quality of the team but we did not strengthen!

  We showed a quantum of ambition but not full blown ambition.

  We have not strengthend since relegation, only improved quality over time.

  This season we have not improved the quality or strengthened!

• 39 ppb // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:02 AM

  actually i take back calling you a sod. you do make agood point but i will reserve judgement until a) the end of the window and b) the end of the season

• 40 alex84 // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:03 AM

  Toonboy84 I would mate but waiting for someone to kick my chair.

• 41 Valci // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:03 AM

  Jimmy – Sure we need to strengthen at the back. I don’t think anyone will argue that point. At the very least we should find a replacement for Simpson. Saylor can do the job if fit and from what i’ve seen in our first game Perch offers good cover. CB could be postponed till January though.
  However, until i see Cabaye coming out with a statement against the management i will have trouble believing it. Rumors and hearsay just won’t do it for me.
  I believe there is a plan in place and i think last year’s 5th place finish was a bit ahead of schedule. Nobody in the club expected it. That doesn’t mean we have to fast-forward our plans because of 1 successful season though…slow and steady is the way. Ofc this is all my opinion and i am in no way slating you… just what i believe.

• 42 jimmymagpie // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:05 AM

  Beattie – good morning. Believe me it pains me to say these things about the club that has been a major part of my life for many years, but it’s how I genuinely feel. For what it’s worth, I do know that the medics have not been told to prepare for any medicals, and I BELIEVE that Llambias and Charnley are heading to France on Friday for the Europa League draw. I wish I could stay longer, but I’m afraid that hospital awaits again. With luck, this MAY be my last treatment for the time being.

• 43 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:05 AM

  Jimmy…Glad you responded and are willing to discuss opinions, that is after all why we are here. I don’t disagree, we rode our luck at times last season. I might be inclined to say some of that luck was created by determination, something Pardew and his staff have been drilling in to the team. I was so impressed at our ability to hold on in there for the majority of the season, something we have lacked in the past. I view that as improvement.

  I would never say Ashley is a great man, I have a belief he is probably far from it. However, I have noticed the improvements and I am happy with the progress. I never expected it to be a quick rise to the top, every statement has said that’s not the case.

  As for a defender being priority, I do remember Pardews statement well and will be shocked if we yet again don’t get this CB / FB that everyone clearly sees we need to progress.

  Beattie….Then I fear you will never be happy with the club under Ashley. We want Newcastle to be the best, he wants a competent team, near the top, turning a profit and advertising his real money maker.

  Anyway, I am off for the day. Some unreasonable people expect me to work, do they not understand what this week means to me? Ass wipes!

  Take care all.

• 44 bro56 // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:05 AM

  Enrique, Barton, and Nolan were right about this club’s ownership… pfft..

  Enrique is constantly benched and Pool had the worst league finish in 18 years.

  Nolan kissed the toon badge until a 5yr contract was flashed in front on his eyes + he’s finished (ask hammers fans)

  Barton. Greedy t**t who was linked with arsenal LOL but has just been ousted at 15.000 capacity QPR.

  Keegan would of been a better example but after he recently raved about the Toon maybe he’s warmed to the regime.

• 45 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:05 AM

  Valci
  But they’re not really competitive are they. They always finish a good 10/20 points off the top, they won’t make it past the semi finals in the Champions League and they rarely challenge in the domestic cups. It’s been that way for the past 6 years or so now. They’ve stagnated and I wouldn’t really call them competitive anymore.

• 46 jesperfuglsang // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:06 AM

  The real reason why players are leaving Arsenal are down to two major factors:

  a) Arsenal are a selling club (who isnt really?) until 2017 when they have paid off what they own on the new Stadium (so I am told).

  b) They have a wage cap

  A Valci says football has been poisoned by the likes of Citeh, Chelski, PSG, Real and Barca and player’s head can easily benn turned. Money talks, agent wispers…It is sad but it is the truth. If we want things to change we need rules and regulations, but most of us would probably agree that rules and regulations are the last thing we need.

  Something has to be done, cause in my book all these rich people treating football as some sort of playground for their oil money and so forth are ruining the game and turning footballers into money grubbing sob’s and mean while they are just linning the agent’s pockets.

• 47 ochytoon // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:06 AM

  Beattie
  Yeah thats what I meant.

• 48 MacToon // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:08 AM

  Good to see you back Jimmy.

• 49 Transfer Sage // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:11 AM

  Jimmymagpie

  Welcome back. Your insight into the club is always welcome.

  I would like to ask you one question though. You say we made a small loss according to the accounts last year. As far as I am aware that is correct. If that I the case and you say you want us to sign more players surely that is not a sustainable model for the club?

  I accept we need to strengthen, especially the defence to remain competitive in the European places but surely trying to get financial stability is also important?

  Another point. I support Newcastle as it is the club my family support and I grew up in that environment. I would live then to win something but if they don’t it’s ok. I want them to be a top side but again I’m happy watching regardless.

  I just want to say in fortunate the club I support play in the top flight whether we finish 1st or 17th I get to see some great games every year.

  I’m lucky to be a toon fan and not the fan of a team like Darlington who have fallen right out of the football league due to poor financial management.

  Also jimmy…..heard any good rumours lately? No news on Carroll or is it all paper talk and pardew doing his best to keep us happy?

• 50 MacToon // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:11 AM

  Arsenal have sold about £43 mil of talent and so far purchased £44 mil of talent. How I see it the Carroll money’s hardly been touched.

• 51 MacToon // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:12 AM

  Transfer sage, the club made a small loss before the Carroll money was entered into the accounts

• 52 BelfastMagpie // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:17 AM

  Deadline day bids rejected,we tried our best etc etc yawn

• 53 Szarka // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:23 AM

  We should say, without investing 15-20 mill on 3 players, we will reach only 7th, and have short cup runs. We have lesser squad with more matches, and more competitive teams. Everton and Chelsea will be better then last year, and without ambisions, we cant always keep our players.
  We dont have to buy, u say, then dont want more then top of midtable, maybe with luck we could reach EL again.
  Just think who has to replace Simpson, Cabaye, Ben Arfa or Dembas. Not close to their quality.

• 54 Munster Mag // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:28 AM

  Valci, why are we advocating postponing the purchase of a centre back? The problem came up ages ago and we didnt fill it. Look, its quite simple for the MASC members but I’ll explain it again.

  Mike Ashley only cares about his retail empire – NUFC is a sideshow that helps sales to a certain extent.
  Mike’s idea is to run the club a bit like Arsenal – produce good young talent – sell it on.
  Silverware is a hugely unlikely bonus, and ambitions in this area are not really relevant – balance sheet and profitability is key.
  The transfer policy is clear cut and is really only based on discounts. If a discount applies ( eg end of contract ) , we will compete, otherwise, its largely kids and more fringe players for development.
  If we had ambition, we would have signed Debuchy by now, and not let 1 million hinder the teams progress.
  But we dont – and the main reason we finished 5th last season was because of Cisse’s introduction – so if we dont see similar discounts out there, we may have to wait and wait.
  We shouldnt lose sight of our messy windows no activity in the past, and the panic for Ruiz ( who incidentally was quoted saying NUFC came in for him ) , the failed bid for Mariappa etc.
  Our best bet now is Carroll – the discount principal applying again…..
  Jimmy Magpie, dont fly the nest mate! We need balance out here.

• 55 Munster Mag // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:30 AM

  Mactoon, the Carroll money went on agents fee’s etc . Its been expalined to you already !!!!

• 56 Munster Mag // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:32 AM

  Jimmy, best of luck with the hospital treatment.

• 57 toonincheek // Aug 29, 2012 at 12:08 PM

  “Jimmy, best of luck with the hospital treatment.”

  I’ll drink to that.

• 58 beefman13 // Aug 29, 2012 at 5:09 PM

  ochy, jimmymagpie, munster mag, so we were lucky for 38 games last season were we??we lost saylor after 11 games, fought and scrapped in most but came out of it with a manager winning double manager of the season 5th in the league and finishing above 1 billion pound chelsea, now you want the owner out beacuse of mediocrity on the pitch, we have beat spurs and more than held our own against chelsea with the same attempts on goal, 82 million worth of talent outdone us for the second, and a torres dive for the first, we have a class kid in anita brought in, 3 very promising youngins, no body has been sold, we have saylor back we have players with another years premiership experience, i cannot believe yous are calling for the owner to go and that he is a cancer, rather be boro would you or leeds or pompey or sheff wed etc etc you need to wake up we are the envy of many now we have a system in place that is baring fruit, europe for starters and a fifth place finish, pedro ,bobby moncur, mick martin , all say the club are doing fantastic they are straight down the line fellas, do yous really want to turn everything upside down and start a new regime, quite breathtaking arrogance if you ask me and you should be ashamed to support NUFC for those COMMENTS quite frankly i am disgusted.