The 20 Premier league clubs will meet next week to discuss the possible introduction of some voluntary spending limits, and for convenience for these meetings, the teams have been split into two groups of 10 teams each on a geographical basis, and we expect Derek LLambias will be representing Newcastle United at this meeting.
Derek Llambias – Newcastle’s Managing Director
As we reported this morning, the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules will be coming into increasing effect in the years ahead, with the end goal (so to speak) being that clubs can actually balance their books, and hopefully gone will be the days when clubs like Manchester City can lose £197M in one season, as they did from 2010-2011.
It seems that most of the clubs are in agreement for some voluntary controls, but they will need to come to agreement on what happens if clubs don’t meet the agreed to requirements.
There are various proposals to be put forward:
- UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Rules where clubs must break even over a given number of years – since English clubs will have to meet these requirements – this would seem to be a sensible approach
- Clubs only being allowed to spend a percentage of their annual revenues on the costs of players – which would largely be their wages – Newcastle’s wages to revenue figure is one of the best in the Premier League but some clubs – like QPR – spend more on wages than their total revenues – which is simply crazy
- Limiting the increases in players’ total wages to a maximum of 10% each year – this proposal is one coming from Sunderland owner Ellis Short
- One option that is popular is ensuring clubs can guarantee they can operate for several years in the future rather than just the next year (wow). So they would need to show they can generate future revenues to support players getting longer term contracts.
Portsmouth went into bankruptcy when they simply couldn’t afford the play the wages of their players on long term contracts after a year or two
The clubs who are most opposed to any of these plans being put into place are Manchester City – that’s not surprising since they are in the worst financial shape of any other Premier League club, Chelsea, who like Manchester City are used to spending whatever Romain Abramovich wants to spend – and Fulham – which is a strange one.
Chelsea and Manchester City have basically spent their way to winning some of the Premier League titles over the last several years, since they have spent so much more than any other English clubs over that period.
Chelsea have spent in excess of £1B since Abramovich bought the club back in 2003 – when he brought in 11 players – a full team – over that first summer.
Is it just me that thinks this is simply ridiculous?
And Manchester City are trying their very best to spend as much as Chelsea, with over £800M being spent on players over the last four years.
The interesting thing will be if controls are put in place, and it looks like some level of controls can be agreed to, what are the sanctions for breaking them?
We were very pleased to see that UEFA President Michel Platini is serious in saying that if clubs don’t meet the Financial Fair Play rules, they will not be allowed to compete in Europe.
So next May, why don’t UEFA announce those clubs who have qualified for Europe, but will not be allowed to compete, because they haven’t put their financial books in order.
That would send a great message to clubs, and soon get them to see the light – hopefully.
But the time when clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City can spend money like it grows on trees, will soon be one for the history books, and the game of football will be so much better off because of it.
And we’ll be asking in the years ahead – why were they ever allowed to do that in the first place?
Comments welcome.
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117 responses so far ↓
1 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:28 PM
So does Kets. We’d never be able to buy his Panini wishlist without a bottomless pit full of money
2 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:30 PM
Seriously, I am more optimistic that the FFP rules will be enforced rigorously with the quotes coming from Platini…and that has to help us.. The financial regime here does make sense even if it is incredibly frustrating at times
3 darrenfletcher88 // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:31 PM
What a load off crap!! If u have money spend it,if u don’t have it u can’t!! It’s like winning the lottery and not being able to spend it!!
4 FatmanJoe // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:35 PM
I don’t know too much about the subject but as I understand it the clubs don’t have the money and are borrowing it to spend.
5 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:41 PM
@ Darren
So you want the same teams winning the title and getting in the Champions League every year then ? . The only way teams like us can compete is if we are taken over by some Arab oil tycoon that is willing to pump millions into the club, sad yes but hopefully this FFP will help
6 Marty-Toon // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:46 PM
We will see what happens,they’ll find a way around it I’d say n keep their spending at maybe a little lower than it has been.
7 kingkilkline // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:51 PM
It’s to protect clubs from doing a Leeds, Rangers, Pompey etc not sure if chelski or citeh fans would be happy if their owners walked away leaving them with untenable debts!
8 kingkilkline // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:53 PM
Surprise surprise 2 clubs with a lot to lose objecting to the new plans that are meant to make football more financially realistic
9 belgrade fan // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:58 PM
when was the last time when we conceded first and then win a game? this thing must be improved..
10 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 6:59 PM
so what happens when clubs DO have money to spend and they don’t?
Oh right, I guess we’ll have to wait until the end of the season to see
11 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:00 PM
belgrade fan
i think it’s been like 26 games without a win
12 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:04 PM
In principle FFP is great
time will prove (imo) that it’s had little to no effect on evening the playing field.
Platini said it clearly, sponsorships will be based on what the top clubs are earning with their respective deals so, hypothetically
lets say barca secures a 10 year deal at 20mil a year with Fly Emirates. Newcastle, because we do not have the same fanfare and draw as a barcelona, would be incapable of acquiring a deal anywhere near that sum
it’s so loose that the big teams will continue to win and the smaller teams will continue to push on, year after year in the seemingly forlorn hope of winning something worthwhile
13 toonincheek // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:09 PM
Not a fan of the ManC way of doing things, but running a football club has NEVER been about making money, or even breaking even – ask any chairman!
(grassroots and lower leagues excepted)
Despite the excesses of (mainly) ManC and Chelski, do we really think it would be good for football if owners were barred from putting a bit of their own money into their club?
A balance needs to be found, but the FFP goes too far.
14 MacToon // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:15 PM
I believed these rules were being implemented to stop clubs over spending with the potential of going bust, into receivership, “doing a Leeds” as we know it.
It isn’t designed to make football fairer.
So, if Man City or the Chelseas of theis world can afford to throw money away then why not…… I know it’s not fair but that’s life. There will always be richer clubs, that will never change.
15 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:17 PM
DF88
But they don’t have the money..
16 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:21 PM
Agree with MacToon, this won’t necessarily level the playing field, but will ensure clubs remain solvent and follow some sort of stable business model. UEFA have been compelled to take action following the troubles of Malaga and Racing Santander.
Even though La Liga has unique issues as opposed to EPL, there’s no denying that some owners in England subscribe to the “Big Spending = Silverware” theory, jeopardizing the clubs finances in return.
17 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:22 PM
mactoon
i think you’re right. I think the ‘fair’ in FFP was perhaps misleading me
what a notion though, a fair playing field.
The one thing that i would hate to see happen to football is what’s happened in american sport…..there’s hardly any loyalty when it comes to the players. they are off for the next big pay day with such frequency (and it is due in large part to the financial confines and restrictions each respective league has implemented) that it’s not uncommon for most players, even the ‘stars’ to play for five or six different teams in a relatively short period of time.
there”s a lot more of that in football nowadays but there are no real juggernauts in american sports any longer. there are a few historical teams like the yankees or the packers or the lakers, but, save the lakers, most of the teams who win in their leagues finished in the bottom end only a year or two ago
18 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:24 PM
or Doing a QPR as it will soon be known.
How can wages in excess of gates plus a pile of TV money be acceptable ?
19 darrenfletcher88 // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:26 PM
They obviously do have the money or they wouldn’t keep spending it
20 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:26 PM
basically what i’m saying is, it’s an even when we play the manchester uniteds and the arsenals of the league. i’ve appreciated the annual opportunity to get one over on them which makes when you actually do pick up three points all the better.
there is a real way to preserve that level of history, where clubs like man u and arsenal and lpool remain the teams to beat without a club buying their way to it in a matter of a few seasons (man city, psg, chelsea, qpr), and the best part about it in my eyes is that, it has to be continual, ever evolving. arsenal has hit a rough patch but they’ll bounce back. the structures in place are solid enough to withstand temporary lulls, whereas a team like liverpool has deservedly fallen from the highest echelons and are now forced to claw their way back to the summit
21 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:27 PM
an event*
22 spitfire_ // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:27 PM
@belgrade fan
October 23th 2010… we will have a jubilee in a month.
23 ped // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:31 PM
didnt hear many complaints when one of the richest mffen in britain sr john hall draged newcastle from 3rd teir of english football to 2nd in prem another point man city have 30%/ greater income then newcastle champions/and champs league football which means better players and less hope of newcastle ever competing,seems like yuor only hope is a rich arab investor oh wait ffp has put payed to that welcome to years of medio sorry about spelling but you get the gist
24 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:34 PM
@mattyNUFC, great points..
As an American, the prospect of a more or less level and unpredictable league like the NFL provides excitement, but the track records, history, and prestige of particular football clubs is a big part of my fascination with the beautiful game in Europe, that makes breaking up the top 4 all the sweeter; when it’s done with shrewd transfer policy, brilliant tactics, dedication and general wherewithal, much like NUFC are doing now.
Teams like Man U may be big spenders themselves but earned that right through year after year of success (say what you will about how they got out of a few tight matches). That’s what a legacy is all about, laying the groundwork for success down the line.
25 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:39 PM
..and to add, I think having established juggernaut clubs creates one of the many nuance elements that create an intense relationship between fans and their club’s players. When a player knocks in a winner vs a top side for the upset, they burn themselves into the memories of the supporters. There’s many other reasons there’s stronger connections in football, be it players who grew in extreme poverty only to become heroes, to local guys playing for their home club, to providing memorable and improbable victories. It’s part of what makes the game and the EPL so incredible.
Anyways, getting into ultra-nuance type stuff but worth a note nonetheless
. UEFA can help matters but hopefully they know when it’s time to back off some.
26 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:49 PM
@ 89Norcal
Have you seen Moneyball ? . I would rather we gained success the way they did in the film rather than Ashley selling NUFC to an oil tycoon and buying trophies. But is that ever really going to happen ? . The closest a team came was Blackburn a while ago but they still splashed some money out and won the title but look were they are now. Moneyball is an amazing film like, I know nothing about Baseball but I loved it
27 Gateshead-Mag // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:50 PM
i dont know where i stand on this, i think the man citys psgs and the likes are spoiling football a bit but certain clubs have spent big in the past, look at blackburn when they won the premier league and US during the john hall/shepherd era
i think the difference being the extremes, although we spent beyond our means it was nothing on the scale of these clubs. there must be some sort of middle ground, if theres money there to be spent then yes spend it but maybe a spending limit or something
i dont really know what i would suggest but i think something needs to be done but i would never like to see anything like an american system where any team can just go out and win it, i think it would be worse for the game than these oil rich owners, sucesful teams need to be built and matured. history and traditions are built over years
28 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:52 PM
89norcal
agree completely on all points. and to add, it’s quite clear things just aren’t sustainable the way they are. maybe this is hyperbole, maybe not but i’m no economist and can’t be bothered to research but it’s pretty said when La Liga seems to have larger revenue streams than the country it is playing in
on another note, I’m trying to arrange a trip to Bordeaux for the europa league match. I’m an american and the only other time i tried to get to a game was home game (the 5under1and game, no less, and i was stuck in a london pub watching the match, rueing every second of not being there and getting a ticket in time )
i know that in order to get a ticket for an away game i have to be a member, so i plan on signing up for that rather soon, but how far in advance will they put the tickets on sale? this is obviously a huge financial obligation between trans-Atlantic flights, accommodation, etc, not to mention the price of the ticket, so is there any close-to-sure-fire-way i can get a ticket for the match?
any and all info would be appreciated. if you plan on going let me know too and i’ll send you my e mail or something!
29 mattyNUFC // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:56 PM
Big papiss,
haha, that is a good film. unfortunately i don’t think the same approach could be applied as accurately to football
could be wrong. god knows there’s statisticians galore here
come on then, that’s the plan. let’s devise an algorithm for a cut-price championship winning team
30 Harley // Sep 22, 2012 at 7:58 PM
Big pappa
It’s funny you say that as moneyball reminded me so much of Newcastle (not quite to that extent mind).
It did show in some way what can be achieved on a budget if done right. However, like you I had no idea about baseball and every time they said “cos he gets on base” I was puzzled.
Anyway, it would make my year if man city qualified for the champions league and platini wouldn’t let them in. It would send the greatest message ever!!!
31 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:01 PM
@ mattyNUFC
I wonder if there is an algorithm you could apply to football ? . In the film I think they took statistics like how the player batted and if they got on base. There must be so many more variables for football, enough to make your head explode
32 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:08 PM
Well FFP may not be perfect but its a start, after all. OK, it may be seen as a way to avoid the inevitable disasters of speculative borrowing and overspending (as has been mentioned in Leeds’ case) but there’s no reason it can’t be adjusted over time to remove the inequity created by ‘nouveau riche’ clubs like Man City. Bear with me on this, but many years ago in the distant mists of the pasts when I was a lad (yawn developing…) My dad, being a Mancunian and avid Citizen, tried desperatelytoget me to support his beloved team. My environment, friends and the massed ranks of unwashed I grew up in the midst of in Peterlee (I know, I know) ensured I would be a Mag. However I retained a soft spot for my ‘second side’ and watched them through the Kinkladze years, then slide until Nicky Weaver saved them from oblivion, through the years of ‘feed the goat’ and so on. But their current incarnation leaves me cold, its a soulless machine, and I fervently hope we never get a rich spoiled brat owner who buys us a cupboard full of silver. It goes against everything I perceive about a hard-working mans’ beloved team driven by regional pride, honest work ethic and building a successful team to be followed on merit.
If the rich mans’ plaything is discarded as a business model, then each club will be a self-sustaining one with the same opportunities to win based on competition alone. Correctly, Man Utd are an ideal example, same with Arsenal, success from a legacy of prudent management. Thats what I would want for NUFC. Saying its lie winning the lottery and not being able to spend it (a la Abramovich) is short-sighted as it totally disregards the real purpose of a sporting institution. Sport by definition implies fair participation reliant on ability, skills and talent. Spending like City and Chelsea reminds me of a time when I queued for ages in Greggs behind a bloke who was buying lunch for his workmates. He bought all the remaining mexican chicken oval bites and caramel doughnuts, which is what I had gone in for. Caramel doughnuts I tell you!
BTW I dont find Fulham’s objection strange at all. Fayed has the resources to sink pots of money in the club, and if CL came into view I doubt he would be able to resist going for the big pot. Plus he’s loco. He has a statue of MJ outside his ground, I mean…
Welcome Ibiza, been some scare-mongering about you today. Can you clarify what all the panic is about?
33 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:10 PM
@Big Pappa Cisse,
‘course! Oakland A’s are my team
. And I understand, in the end it DOES take a bit of spending but hopefully never enough to bring you to the brink of bankruptcy or folding!
@mattyNUFC,
Spain has massive issues outside of La Liga, so it’s no surprise when you see the state the league is in. Everyone knows about advertising and endorsement money among the Big 2, and far too much is invested in those teams by their governments. Now of course Catalunya is pushing for independence.
Btw good luck with your trip! Been wanting to go to Newcastle for a few years now but it will have to wait as I’m between jobs. But I did do some window shopping of course
and tickets + accommodation are definitely up there!
Btw I would kill to be in a Newcastle pub during a match. But I understand being so close to SJP yet so far away!
34 FatmanJoe // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Liverpool owners said they were applying the moneyball technique when they bought downing Henderson and Carroll. Seriously. They looked at the statistics of these players over all else.
Great film like. I don’t know anything about baseball but the film is canny.
35 davis_toons // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:17 PM
Talking about the banner on top.
To win games we need to score goals.
And the top left group seems to have more goal scorer that can create something..
With Ben and BA.
While the Right side seems to have more decent defensive players….but who knows..
They might play long ball and get Cisse & Obtan and run at it.
36 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:18 PM
@Tsunki,
I agree with your point of avoiding a club ownership model that focuses on profit first. Obviously the owners are relying on the club to be a main generator of their wealth, and they derive intangible benefits from club ownership, status boost, etc..
And clubs should be allowed to whip out the checkbook and gamble a bit, but it should still have it’s limits. That way big money transfers are better analyzed by clubs.
This will prevent the sugar daddies from throwing £50m at a player without considering tactics involved with assimilating the guy into his system.
It will also help from inflating players’ transfer fees just because a big club is eyeing them.
If the gamble doesn’t pay off, you step back, analyze, and make it work or lick your wounds and try again.
37 Carryingcoals // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:18 PM
My preview for tomorrow’s game – http://www.carryingcoals.com/?p=158
Can’t see us turning them over.
Re the moneyball comparison: I’d prefer to win a trophy doing it the Arsenal way (i.e. what we seem to be modelling ourselves on) building a team that way rather than pumping hundreds of millions in to the club risking its long term future. Having said that, god I miss Champions League nights…!
38 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:18 PM
^the owner’s *aren’t
39 FatmanJoe // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:23 PM
Good article carryingcoals. Agree with a lot of what you say. Snodrgrass should be kept quiet and I think we’ll eventually overcome them. First time I’m at sjp for ages so well looking forward to it!
40 Carryingcoals // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:24 PM
cheers joe, I think we will get the win but not demolish them.
I’m there to but in an unfamiliar seat in the Leazes end.
41 Cool Hand Luke // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:24 PM
89norcal It will also help put an end to the big spenders upsetting players by having ‘sources’ link them with megabucks transfers.
42 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:31 PM
I agree that some owners want their football clubs to run more like a business than others. Take Mike Ashley for instance, he has used every resource possible to promote his company through NUFC whether it be Luminous Sports Direct signs plastered all over the stadium, renaming the stadium, slashing & structuring the wage bill and gone are the days of big money signings.
Then you have the polar opposite Billionaire in Roman Abramovic who see’s Chelsea as a play thing and something to brag about to other rich people. He is also the type of guy that likes to have the biggest yacht in the world and will spend multi-millions in the process.
43 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:45 PM
Tsunki….I can confirm that I know nothing…i’m from Barcelona (well live close…sort of).
Not stopping this evening. Evening everyone, look forward to chatting tomorrow and a great 3 points
HWTL
44 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Good stuff Carrying coals. I like the two articles I’ve read. Pretty balanced… bit like Leazes Terrace
Also with the lads suggesting we work at it the Gooners way.
45 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:55 PM
BPC
At least the UK owners have a better understanding of the game. The USA, Mid and Far Eastern section of owners are not in it becuse they love the town or city and it’s like their home team.
Fair dos to Whelan and Jack at Blackburn…. Levy too for that matter.
Exactly what are the Glazers after apart from kudos and self aggrandisement ? As for the Fool owners they’re just franchise merchants
46 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 8:55 PM
@CoolHandLuke,
Exactly, their values will still go up but if City or Chelsea mooch off one of our targets, it won’t be such a forgone conclusion that we’re out of the bidding.
@Big Pappa,
I think in the end some billionaires are just more eccentric than others
. No surprise the owner of Chelsea FC is the same guy who bought the world’s longest yacht by 0.5 meters..while the owner of NUFC is the same guy who covered SJP in a Sports Direct banner tent lol.
47 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:00 PM
If anyone has the stomach for a reality check, our U18′s got stuffed 7-1 by Man U. It sort of bears out the right coaching strategy.
48 bollance // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Tsunki
Don’t read too much until the u18 results so far. They are fielding a team of mainly 16 year olds. Don’t know why but I think we are trying to fast track this team. They are made up of nike cup winners so I think the team has pedigree.
Also don’t forget there are player not playing like Campbell and others who are young enough but have been moved up to u21 team.
49 bollance // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Papa
Moneyball is a great film. I definitlely believe there is a plan place which is obviously working as we have developed as a team and a club significantly in a 2 year period yet now we have halved (?) the wage bill and are now breaking even.
The way I see it is that if we have mainly 20-25 year olds playing their value will increase providing we are winning.
If you think of the value of our squad at the start of last season compared to this it would be significantly higher now.
50 Toon Tang // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:37 PM
llambias looks like hes had bits of his face added afterwards
51 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:38 PM
Pulis is complaining about Chelsea players diving in the box. It is CHEATING and Chelsea have really emphasized this as a tactic since the arrival of Torres. Doesn’t reflect well on them at all and I’m delighted we don’t do it, it’s rubbish.
52 bollance // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:39 PM
Rossi who we had on loan from man u many years ago but roeder never played him too much is available for 15m euros.
Watched him in one of the only games for us and he was like a man possessed. Think it was a cup game and in about the 15 mins he was on the pitch he had about 7 or 8 shots on goal.
Think this is a non starter as too much for us and probably high wages.
On l’fools using the moneyball theory on downing etc comolli was a big stats man. Fortunately for us he misread the stats and thought Carroll was a world beater.
53 bollance // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:42 PM
Jaw
We do have one player who can go down like a sack of potatoes but he is loved by all. Even though he is always forgotten when people name their line ups on here. And he has beautiful hair
54 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:44 PM
Jawballsaswallwell
Ufortunatly diving seems to be becoming more and more popular in the league especially with clubs like chelski (hazard/torres go down so easy) manure(welbeck and young fir manure and england embarrassing tbh) and that buck toothed muppet at liverpool
55 djm... // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:46 PM
On the subject of finance, can anyone tell me how many solitary owners have put more money into their respective clubs than mike Ashley?
56 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:48 PM
I really hope this financial fair play is effective. Newcastle are a big, well run club, who as things stand remain unlikely to gain a Champions League place and a million miles away from winning the competition. That can’t be right. It wasn’t that long ago that Forest and Villa won it, those wonderful achievements should always remain a possibility. It really does stink that success in football has become the domain of an elite few, it’s almost anti football in spirit.
Kudos to Platini, more power to him.
57 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:48 PM
Bollance
Thought rossi was still injured? Didnt he fcuk his knee up pretty bad been out for biut 6 months?
58 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:53 PM
The Fools ought to realise that Moneyball theory is FICTION. Good for us they didn’t though. r
59 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 9:57 PM
jawball
And Forest are the best advert out for overachieving !!!
HWTL
60 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:00 PM
I have had a terrible thought – is ketsy that Peter guy out of Moneyball – the statistician? He could have been right about Scharner all along.
61 89Norcal // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Well said jawball
62 Conaldo (The Wizard) // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:03 PM
This is not a dig at anybody, just something I’ve been thinking.
I’ve just been flicking through the relegation articles, and what a dark place newcastle was back then. It’s easy to forget it, but there was a time when our club was on the verge of doing a Leeds, but we turned it around. We won the championship by almost record points, had a great first season back in the premier league, and then last season. Wow.
And so we come to this season, after a slow but decent start, we really have a chance to kick start our season tommorow, aswell as having the chance to genuinely thank a man for saving our football club. I hope the fans realise that tommorow a game can be the start of another great season for Newcastle, and really get behind the team, because let’s be honest, the atmosphere has been tame at best all round the stadium. Lets get it back to what we are known worldwide for. Really think we can hammer Norwich tommorow, and Pardew will know what needs to be done.
On another note, I’m so glad Ed decided to keep this blog open after we got relegated, and after all you’ve been going through. I, and every other reader are very grateful for this site, and long may it continue
Howay the lads.
63 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:04 PM
Who’s the oft overlooked but much loved player with the beautiful hair that goes over like a sack of spuds in the box given half a chance. Is it Guti, I hadn’t noticed that.
I remember Perch, going down like a sack of shit after Reina had moved his head toward him, but that seemed more of split second error of judgement than consistent behavior.
Anyway, I’m sure we’re not above it from time to time, but i’d hope we don’t encourage it. It makes me cringe.
64 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Bollance @45 hmm yes but it does support what I mean about coaching strategy. We are currently having to send out an inferior U-18 side to the lions. The gap is evidently there. I am not worried particularly about the long-term as no doubt the academy deficiency will be addressed, but it does show that there is one at present. Man U are evidently continuing their program uninterrupted. There’s a model for emulation.
65 Conaldo (The Wizard) // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Tsunki – no Kets is actually mike Williamson himself, he comes on here and slags himself off so that fans defend him and boosts his confidence. Or maybe he’s just a looper…
66 MacToon // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Something else we should maybe consider is the likes of Man U, City, Chelsea and others can afford to bring in some of the best players around the world which helps to make the EPL one of the most exciting leagues to watch and one that alot of top players around the world want to play in.
Although it’s obscene the amounts of money thrown at players and managers these days, personally I like the idea of being able to watch some of the best players playing in our league.
We’re competing on a budget and we’re competing against some very rich clubs.
On our day our starting 11 can give most if not all teams a run for their money.
67 jesperfuglsang // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Tsunki…sabermetric’s my friend
lol
68 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Actually I love Jonas’ skill at buying strategic free kicks, he actually earns them. It may be a thin fine line between cheating and industry, but he has a definite skill in drawing a foul out of an opponent, he can coax it out of a player at will on occassions. Pity he does’t seem to be as free-running near their box these days or he’d get a decent amount of FKs for us.
69 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:08 PM
must remember not to spell Occasions with 3 S’s.
70 bollance // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Djm
Good point. Mike is probably up there but it would appear he fix that problem and now has the club running self sufficiently.
The club owe MA something like £150m in interest free loans. Are we trying to get to the point where we start to pay back that money? If we did make a profit then if mike took out that money would we not pay corporation tax? Therefore we can make £150m profit in the future tax free?
Tads he may well be still injured but anyway a deal would not be struck until jan.
Mfh
Even if the moneyball theory is fictional do u agree with our policy which is..
- Sign players 26 or under on long contract
- sell older players (who is next.. Colo, Guti or raylor)
- Spend around £5m max but haggle first!
- only sell if massive bid comes in
- clear out youth and development squad to ensure top youngster have path to 1st team.
It is working so far
71 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Conaldo @59 – well said.
Mactoon – but if you look at it with the Risk/Benefit consideration, is what Man C and Chelsea are doing constructive or beneficial overall? Showcasing the best versus stifling young home-grown talent? Creating more competition versus straining the resources of less affluent clubs? Tough one, but imo more harm than good in the long run.
72 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Bollance
Okay so it’s loosely based in reality..
Yes but with some reservations. I’d rather where we are at than any of the American owned clubs
The player market is totally distorted by the ManU/Citeh/Barca/PSG massive overspending..even if the annual income of Barca/Real etc can justify their spend and they do have proper youth development. It’s clubs like QPR that really pish me off with their 18,000 capacity and meg wage bills.
73 Tsunki // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:21 PM
I forgot to add, EPL is the most exciting because thats where, across the board, the most money is being thrown around. We could still have teams to compete through european competition.
74 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Yeah, Guti does draw legitimate fouls and that’s great because so many goals come from set pieces, although unfortunately we seem quite pants at those unless they’re in shooting range where both Cabs and Raylor can do their stuff.
Guti should be getting into the box at every opportunity with his uncanny ability to draw a legit foul. Why can’t we get him on the ball more often in the final third, is it because he’s doing so much donkey work elsewhere.
75 Super Magpie // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Tsunki
When we came back up Jonas was fantastic at winning us free kicks.
Infact he was the most fouled player that season and I think we scored a fair few goals from set pieces. A far cry from what our set pieces are like today…
Also, just a theory. I think these FFP rules are a good idea, but they’ve been introduced too late for me. It won’t really affect Man. United, Arsenal and Spurs because : they make huge revenues’s ( especially Man U) and Arsenal and Spurs are are in a good position financially.
And Chelsea and Man City are getting huge revenue’s too meaning that they could stay in the top 4 anyway.
The reason why Fulham are opposing it is because they’re in nearly £200m of debt. And since they’re not successful it would only be a matter of time before they do a Leeds/Portsmouth.
76 BigKirky // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:23 PM
That El Araabi lad we were linked is playing against Barca the noo. He hasn’t lasted in Saudi long has he…
77 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:30 PM
I’ve mentioned this before but does anyone think if our stadium and fanbase was in say Essex that we would probably have been took over rather than City & Chelsea ? . Alot of owners and players seem to think London is the only place in england which is a joke. I know its the capital but last year we were barely mentioned in the Champions league race as the Southern press barely look north of Manchester unless Ashley does something silly. Say Fulham had the squad & season we had last year, you would never hear the end of it.
78 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:31 PM
That’s a fair point about money attracting the best players and producing fine matches.
That midweek Man City – Real Madrid Champions league game was a classic, might not see that type of spectacle too often if fair play successfully comes in and that match would have been enjoyed by countless millions worldwide as is the cash bloated EPL.
79 MacToon // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Tsunki, the major downfall as I see it is that our national team suffers which it has done for decades now.
Some if not most clubs still need to have a good academy with young potential talent coming through but it’s a tough league with very high standards. On the whole I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
We have four main leagues in this country and in my opinion there’s alot of room for many different standards of players and also room for some of the best players around the world. Only my opinion though.
80 MUTINYbyLEMONS // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Does anyone else think that Harper could have done better with the two goals we conceded at Everton? I just can’t help wondering whether Krul could have saved them. I am only talking about allowed goals for this.
81 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Mutiny
Possibly but in reality the defence should of done better
82 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:46 PM
@ Mutiny
Even if he could have done better he made up for it on their dissallowed goal, what a save that was
83 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:49 PM
David moyes still whinging about monday on MOTD
84 Krul to be Kind // Sep 22, 2012 at 10:52 PM
I thought the Mirallas transfer to Everton went under the radar in the summer, our type of young reasonably priced player and different to what we have already, I think he will be the buy of the season this year
85 rainrix // Sep 22, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Tads… Funny he didnt mention their 1st goal was handball swings and roundabouts
86 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 22, 2012 at 11:03 PM
David luiz should of been straight red terrible decision
87 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 22, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Rainrix
Lol he probably didnt see it
88 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 22, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Mirallas is a steal like. Belgium have a pretty decent national side now aswell. Mignolet,Vermallen,Vertonghen,Fellani,Hazard Mirallas. Probably missed a few
89 StuW // Sep 22, 2012 at 11:17 PM
The sooner UEFA and FIFA crack down on the frankly stupid spending the better. Leagues will be much more competitive, and clubs of smaller stature will be more likely to be able to hold onto their star players.
This is why i love our current transfer structure and spending, and our financial plan as a whole. We won’t ever(undrr our current policies) fall into the financial problems that others will(and have).
Remember, those billionares will eventually get bored with their toys, and will want to leave, nd get left in the preverbial shite.
90 bollance // Sep 22, 2012 at 11:56 PM
If all the mega rich teams have to balance their books who are we going to fleece like we did to liverpool for AC?
91 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:06 AM
I think Tiote will play and we wont be too badly weakened by the absence of Timmy and Colo as we are at home and up against in all fairness run of the mill premiership opposition, so I think we look strong and am expecting a good win amid a tremendous atmosphere to get our season well and truly up and running. Should be great!
92 JAMSHA // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:07 AM
http://firstpost.com/topic/organization/fifa-fifa-13-newcastle-player-ratings-and-faces-video-bFdJwsvZbgY-4495-2.html
newcastle player faces for fifa 13
93 JAMSHA // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:11 AM
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T-V_e468a-M&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DT-V_e468a-M&gl=GB
94 bollance // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:12 AM
Do we believe this?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-boss-paul-lambert-1338881?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Take the money and run or develop and hope he reaches potential shown while at everton?
95 JAMSHA // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:14 AM
Ba,Cisse,Santon,Cabaye no real face
96 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:22 AM
2 million is nothing nowadays, so from a team perspective I’d keep him, but from his perspective I think he should go. He’s not really in contention for regular first team football and you’d think he’s got too much to do to get back in the frame particularly if we continue to strengthen.
97 bollance // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Jaw
Well said.
We will have someone younger and better I believe in the not so distant future who will come in ahead of him (and be on less money).
Pretty much what joey Barton said.
Take the cash and run. £2m buys two bigi’s
98 bollance // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Or maybe one full sized player
99 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Yeah, I think your right. If there’s any club that can wring every penny of value from 2 mill it’s Newcastle under Ashley. Bound to reinvest that money in something ultimately more valuable than Gos. Shame though, he seems a good lad and would much prefer to see him succeed for us, just can’t see it, at all.
100 toonydoonunder // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:41 AM
The money that is being thrown around across europe in football is an absolute disgrace these overpaid prima donnas should hang their heads in shame at the money they demand from football teams whose supporters couldnt dream to earn that sort of cash in a lifetime let alone playing football once a week .They should put a salary cap in place across Europe and then see what happens, i would hazard a pretty good guess that the EPL wouldnt be a 2or3 horse race every year and that England would improve as more teams would employ local/home based players and less average european/south american players.
It would be interesting to see how each team would stack up next weekend if they had to use players that would come under a salary cap of 70k per week.
101 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:42 AM
I think a loan option would be best for us. See what he can do when playing consistent games. It’s tough to crack in to our midfield at the moment.
Although, I get the feeling we’re going to be needing all of our squad this season
102 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:54 AM
Ibiza
Agree think gos needs a sokid run of back to back games to get back to fitness and form
103 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:55 AM
There are soldiers on the frontline being shot at and risking their lives that dont earn in 5 years what some footballers earn in a week. Such a strange world we live in
104 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:55 AM
yeah, of course, Gos will doubtless make an important contribution for us this season because of our extra commitments.
It occurs to me that I’m prepared to change my position at the drop of a hat when presented with an articulate response.
I’m gonna go and have a lie down. Goodbye
105 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 23, 2012 at 12:56 AM
Good evening tads. Late night feed? Question is do we give him the run of games or loan him out? He is still young enough, but needs to progress reasonably quick to have a long term future at the club I would imagine
106 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 23, 2012 at 1:00 AM
@ Ibiza
At this moment in time I would hesitate loaning any players out other than a select few youngsters unless we have a clause that allows us to recall them at any time. Also our fringe players will and already have seen alot more playing time than normal with us being in Europe so it is not essential IMO
107 mattyNUFC // Sep 23, 2012 at 1:01 AM
was gonna post the link but saw someone already has
2mil? IMHO, i’d snap lambert’s hand off. the way that i perceive the game, the EPL and all else, the best Gosling can hope for is to turn into a Nolan-esque type of player…doesn’t offer much besides industry and, in fairness many clubs need this type of player, a guy who ghosts into the box behind the strikers.
I really have yet to see his worth in the long haul. He seems like an awesome human being, a very smart guy and above all incredibly hardworking, but if football was built on work ethic alone, you guys would be discussing my future at the club and not HBA’s, per example.
Bottom line in my mind, he’s hindering a MUCH better, technically superior teammate’s progress (Mehdi Abeid). People can harp on and on about pards and carver seeing them on a daily basis but i’m a fan. i watch the games. what matters most. Abeid is head and shoulders above gosling and he’s three years younger
108 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 23, 2012 at 1:17 AM
Night ladies, gotta get some sleep before we spank Norwich
109 cupiddstunt // Sep 23, 2012 at 1:34 AM
MagpiesFlyHigh @ # 58
I think you aught to check your fucts as they are certainly not facts.
Moneyball was a book written about the “A”’s although there was some artistic licence in its writings, it is in FACT about a series of TRUE events that made the “A”’s more competitive.
The film although a work of fiction is based on facts.
110 t00ntime // Sep 23, 2012 at 1:34 AM
I agree with all the rules apart from the 10% wage increase rule. That doesnt make any sense.
Lets say,
we are making 100,000 revenue
spending 10,000 on wages.
so 90,000 extra (in theory we have lots of space for new players/wages)
ben arfa is on 1000 a week.
he says i want 1500 a week or i am out, 10% of 1000= 1100
so does that mean although we have plenty of profit we arent aloud to raise to 1500 and are forced to sell?
(I know they arent real prices)
I’m just asking cause i’m not sure what they mean
111 Transfer Sage // Sep 23, 2012 at 1:37 AM
Big pappa
It comes down to entertainment as a business as a whole.
Anything that can make a lot of money has people demanding their cut.
If clubs make 100mil plus in tv deals, sponsorships, gates, merchandise, etc then players are goin to as for a fair share as they really bring in the fans and money.
Same as actors, singers, company directors, etc. if you make a lot of money for somebody then you want your cut.
Unfortunately professions which actually have a significant benefit to society like nursing, teaching, policing, army, etc don’t make us money and therefore are not rewarded despite the fact their roles are so much more important.
112 AmericanGeordie // Sep 23, 2012 at 3:46 AM
I’m not sure why everyone (especially Ed) thinks Financial Fair Play is the key to a level playing field.
According to an earlier article, here are the top 7 revenue producers in the PL:
1. ManU – £331M
2. Arsenal – £227M
3. Chelsea -£226M
4. Liverpool – £184M
5. Spurs – £164M
6. Man City – £153M
7. Newcastle – £88M
Anyone wonder why ManU is so in favor of financial “fair” play? They would be able to spend 50% more on players than Chelsea & Arsenal, and 100% more than City. Of course they favor it!
And our beloved Toon would still have A LOT of work to do to get into the top 4……hell even into the top 6!
……just saying…..
113 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 23, 2012 at 4:44 AM
Excellent post American Geordie and I will add this was my initial feeling, but isn’t it also true that there will likely be a window of opportunity for essentially debt free clubs such as Arsenal and ourselves while clubs such as Man U, City, Chelsea etc are forced to lower their debt to revenue ratio.
114 toonincheek // Sep 23, 2012 at 4:48 AM
AmericanG -
I’m surprised to see Arsenal so high up.
As for NUFC, I wonder how up-to-date those figures are.
Our financial position is on the up – I suspect a few of the others are on the way down.
115 Kc-Toon // Sep 23, 2012 at 5:55 AM
Forgive me if im talking shite here, but revenue could be sourced from numerous things. Lets say merchandise, Man City buy Aguero, Toure, Garcia and Nastasic for Millions of £’s. Im pretty sure there would be a huge surge of people buying manchester products in Argintina, Ivory Coast , Spain and errrrrrrm Slovenia? Increasing revenue. If you look at matchday income, Man utd can command huge ticket prices, Not because of their loyal local support, but because theres so much tourist intrest. If there is a slight dislodge in team standings, Glory supporters and tourists are going to flock to the inform team. Along with the fact that alot of these teams have piled up alot of debt, If Owners decide to jump ship , These clubs would have to use this huge revenue just to keep the club running
116 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 23, 2012 at 6:36 AM
Kc you’ve just got in from a night out on the lash haven’t you.
You do raise a couple of interesting points though, particularly about innovative ways of investing money to generate more revenue and that clubs with more spending power and profile are better placed to do that.
The rest of it was, and this by your own admission, utter shite I’m afraid. I hope you didn’t rifle off a couple of maudlin emails to ex girlfriends while you were about it.
117 check the toastie // Sep 23, 2012 at 6:41 AM
Woud actually give Aston Villa money to take Gosling off our hands, as Matty said he is holding up Abeids progress.
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