We never thought we’d be able to compete with the top six clubs in England – the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, and if we did then Alan Pardew is well schooled to keep reminding us regularly, that we are not in the same financial league as those big clubs – and probably never will be.
Ashley – not showing enough ambition at Newcastle
But to be outbid by a side at the very bottom of the table with a maximum home crowd of just over 18,000 is humiliating, to say the least.
But that looks what will happen today, as the reports are that Loic Remy has turned away from Newcastle at the last moment, and is likely to accept the wages of £85K/week that the small London club have offered him – and that’s more than twice the wages Newcastle have offered to the 26 year-old French International.
Newcastle have such rigid financial rules in place on transfer fees and wages, that it seems so difficult for us to get any player into the club, and that played out last summer, when we essentially got only Vurnon Anita and Gael Bigirimana over the line, and lost out on our top striker target of Luuk de Jong, and we also lost out on other targets, because we refused to budge from our own (make that Mike Ashley’s) strict evaluation of the players.
It’s Newcastle strict wages policy that seems to have lost out on Remy, and even though QPR have little money – how can you have huge revenues when your maximum home gate is just 18,000 – they still outbid Newcastle with wages – and big time too.
And QPR’s actions of paying out huge wages to mediocre players – we’re using Harry Redknapp’s own words here – is making a complete mockery of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Rules – where each European club is supposed to be balancing their books – where they only pay out what they bring in as a club.
If Remy does sign for QPR, it will be a huge humiliation for Newcastle United – make no mistake about that – and it will make it that much harder to bring other players in during January.
But we are starting to act like a small club, and when we cannot even persuade a top player to join us, when he has the choice to come to Newcastle or join a small club in London, which happens to be rock bottom of the Premier League – something is wrong.
And don’t think this will not open the eyes of some of our top players at the club – as they see such a lack of ambition at the top – and we are already hearing noises from Ben Arfa as just one example – that he may want to be on his bike in the summer.
Something is seriously wrong at Newcastle.
Fact.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
215 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:22 AM
Comment #1It’s his club, he feels its enough.
Ed you cannot do that on the basis of this Remy deal.
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:31 AM
Comment #2Indian
Ed is speaking on the basis of our entire transfer policy over the last year, have you not been paying attention?
Santon03
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:32 AM
Comment #3Ed, I don’t think Remy is a good example. Bailing out of agreement at the very last moment is just not a good sign of a good charachter.
If Remy was on his way to Newcastle for medical and decided to go to QPR after they offered him better offer is just ridiculous, we don’t need personality like that in our team.
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:33 AM
Comment #4Actually more than a year, try since MA took over.
Dannyo
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:33 AM
Comment #5Oh come on Ed, if you’re basing this blog post at the back of the Remy deal, it’s really uncalled for.
We’re talking a £30-40K difference in wage offerings.
QPR are running themselfes to the ground and we operate with a wage ceiling.
If I go on e-bay to bid on an item, i will only go so far because i don’t have any more money to spend and want to spend within means. Then another bloke comes on, who has less to spend than me, but opts to use one of his many credit cards and pinches my item ahead of me, do I lack ambition?
In a whole, and based on how this year has gone, you could perhaps say he lacks ambition. You couldn’t say that last year tho, and we’re only half way through this window and the season.
All in all, this article is uncalled for imo, especially if you base it on the Remy deal.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:34 AM
Comment #6Ed. maybe we should start acting like a big clib before askimng other clubs to presive us that way!
…we have a wage cap just like Spurs and Arsenal. If Remy chooses QPR it means he could easily had done the same to the two clubs just mentioned – the difference is we are currently 4th from the bottom and probably can’t promise European football next season.
…neither can QPR, but they want to pay silly money they basically don’t have. Don’t blame the owner for this!
geordiefromthemidlands
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:35 AM
Comment #7Long time reader. . Hardly ever post anymore.
Ed great work but there is an edge of frustration in this article. Umderstandably so but unfair-
If Qpr offer higher wages what can we do? Remember we are trying to keep hold of Colo and offering someone who is money orientated more wages than our captain and our wage structure isn’t viable. If QPR want to give Remy huges wages and a relegation clause then that’s fine. We have other targets. This is Gervinho and Ruiz all over again. How did they turn out?
Steven
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Comment #8If rent wants to join qpr for money then there’s not slot we can do, move on to the next target
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Comment #989Norcal
yes, but it ha come on the back of Remy deal, thats what i meant, else its an open secret
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Comment #10You all act as if the only option was to match QPRs wage offer.
How about using our French contingent and status as a historically superior club as leverage with a slightly higher wage offering than ~40k a week?
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:40 AM
Comment #11Indian
No one can doubt the complacency and stagnation of the last transfer window. We had a golden opportunity to capitalize and we didn’t, that’s what I believe Ed is getting at.
I was saying this on every topic last summer. We didn’t need to spend “silly money” but we DID need to bring more bodies in.
eh well, we will just see where the chips fall on this one. My main fear is guys like Cabaye, Hatem, or Cisse being lured away in the next 6mo because we’ve slumped so far.
Dannyo
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:41 AM
Comment #12@89Norcal
You really think we haven’t already done that? We do this with several agents and representatives every year. And the Remy deal was never a knee jerk, they’ll have been in contact with his agents since last summer.
Mister Tuff
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:41 AM
Comment #13The manager has said we will not be outbid on fee or wages several days ago. link;-
http://www.nufcblog.com/2013/01/11/alan-pardew-newcastle-will-not-be-outbid-for-transfer-targets/
SpaceGhost
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Comment #14The sad thing is, if we had done our signings last summer we wont be in this relegation scrap. IF we had signed Debuchy like we were supposed to (hell, he wanted to come crawling to SJP on his kness) we would be in a much better position. Most of our comedy defending starts from Simpson’s position. Why do you think that teams like to attack on that side? Arrgh..just to save 2Million we’re goin to lose more
Far East Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Comment #15If Loic Remy comes in at a ridiculous 85k per week. Won’t the other players will start asking for the same or similar high wages when their contracts are up for renewal in a year or two? Some may argue that he has a decent record in the French Ligue but he’s still unproven in the Premier League.
Freddy Shepherd used to offer “Rolls Royce” wages and look what it did to us. There has to be a limit somewhere down the line.
For me, if Remy rather go to a bottom club with a 18000 capacity stadium than a club which is definitely far bigger in terms of history, honours and a fanatic fan base just for more money, then I say let this mercenary go and join the same bunch at QPR. He does not deserve our support.
thespecialone-ameobi
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Comment #16Ashley will pay the wages people deserve example colcinni and tiote. Remy is getting 40k more at qpr so be it let him rot there
Far East Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:44 AM
Comment #17If Loic Remy comes in at a ridiculous 85k per week. Won’t the other players will start asking for the same or similar high wages when their contracts are up for renewal in a year or two? Some may argue that he has a decent record in the French Ligue but he’s still unproven in the Premier League.
Freddy Shepherd used to offer “Rolls Royce” wages and look what it did to us. There has to be a limit somewhere down the line.
For me, if Remy rather go to a bottom club with a 18000 capacity stadium than a club which is definitely far bigger in terms of history, honours and a fanatic fan base just for more money, then I say let this mercenary go and join the same bunch at QPR. He does not deserve our support.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:45 AM
Comment #18Here we go again – blame Ashley and his wage policy. The balame lies with Remy his greedy advises a owner who has more money than sense.
I do not want my club to start playing stupid wages for players who have not proved themselves in the Premiership and seem to be injury prone
If we start paying players 80,000 a week then every player will want that and stupid prices in the transfer market
Then guess what who will have to pay for it the supporters who come through the turnstiles
How many Toon supporters could afford the prices of season tickets the like of Chelsea and Arsenal and I do not want to be priced out of my season ticket
If we want a player who will die for the cause then look no further than Andy Carroll – his blood runs black n white – still has a house up here still pops in the local for meal – and would be good foil for Cisse.
AND we might score a goal from a corner or Free kick
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Comment #19Dannyo
No I don’t believe we did that. I’m aware we’ve held contact with Remy for over a year actually.
Like Mister Tuff just posted; After Pardew’s meeting with DL and MA about transfer funds, he came out and reassured the fans we would be aggressive. It started out well with immediate signing of Debuchy and constant negotiations with Remy and now Sissoko, but the board don’t seem to want to put up now.
But I have to give credit to Redknapp, it was a mind game masterpiece he put on. It’s possible it had a part to play in our low wage offering, so that he could swoop in with an offer Remy couldn’t refuse.
Transfer Sage
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Comment #20For me we are not embarrassed by this deal.
The people embarrassed should be qpr for paying well over their means for a player.
I have no problem with our wage structure, 60k a week is acceptable and also the same as spurs
Far East Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Comment #21Apologies for the double post!
Pardews Parsnip Bonce
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:49 AM
Comment #22@dabnyo yes in your example you lack.the ambition to get the deal over the line. if you really wanted it you should break the bank.
of course everything I’ve just said is rubbish and i agree with you wholeheartedly
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:50 AM
Comment #23BTW I’m not advocating we should match QPRs offer!
I’m saying if we increased our offer, it would make us more attractive even if we were to pay him less; again using our leverage of having a French-centric squad and being the bigger club.
Obviously QPR are insane for spending this kind of cash, especially when they were supposedly trying to cut debts. Even QPR fans are frustrated with it.
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:51 AM
Comment #24Charlie in the Gallowgate
Every agent is greedy
johnhoy
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:52 AM
Comment #25Bloody Hell Ed. Take off your doom goggles and see it for what it is. Money talks and the fact we all but signed him and were hijacked by droopy at the last second doesn’t speak to me as a lack of ambition. If we weren’t in for him to start with then I could see your point but this ranting post reminds me of the nervy- panicked and paranoid posts I used to read from you years ago.
Relax- there’s plenty of players and plenty of time!
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:52 AM
Comment #26Soory for the CAPS
BUT IF IT IS ALL TRUE, I DON’T WANT REMY NOW.
Sinner
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:52 AM
Comment #27What must Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Debuchy be thinking?They had all been made aware that Remy was going to sign for us, even Debuchy was expecting to meet him training today.Ben Arfa said in an interview yesterday, that Loic is going to be a top player for us.Gutted for them! 😥
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:52 AM
Comment #28Indian Magpie
Yes and every football supporter has to pay for the twa*ts
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 6:58 AM
Comment #29I hope we have a backup other than PEA. I hear St. Etienne is trying to keep hold of him.
stretchintoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:02 AM
Comment #30dont think you can blame ashley for this deal falling through were not gonna pay 80k a week for a player who has scored only once this season & who is not proven in the prem & at the same time for the same reasons you cant blame remy for taking 80k.its a big shame for us because i think (but i could be wrong)he would of been a great addition to the squad.qpr have taken a massive gamble & if it backfires im gonna have to buy a corset to stop my sides from splitting with laughter if/when they go down.
Ben3arfa
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:02 AM
Comment #31Apparently h enever arrived for the medical
Seems like hes still reviewing all the offers, one from us , one from Qpr and one from an “unnamed club”, my guess would be Dortmund
Looks like we’re in for an interesting day
TorqToon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Comment #32Nooooo ed!!!!!!!!! Don’t buy into this ‘blame Ashley at all cost’ mindset.
We set out with a plan – that plan was to offered very good money to sign a player, that player was offered very decent money considering his lack of playing time, form and, to a lesser extent, injury record, he was all set to sign until his head was turned (allegedly) for more money by QPR. So rather than get into a ridiculous bidding war and smashing our wage structure which has made this club self sufficient under MA, it appears that the deal is now over and he is going purely for the cash. Don’t tell me that he is signing for QPR because they’ve had better performances in the past few weeks than we have – utter rubbish!
IF, and that’s still an if, he doesn’t come to us, then it’s finance led and will be his downfall. So many of his fellow pro’s have already criticised him for his greed which really speaks for itself.
bigisblackandwhitearmy
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Comment #33Has remy definetly gone to qpr?
toonarmydownsouth
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:09 AM
Comment #34Ahhh FFS Ed man behave
FloridaToon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:09 AM
Comment #35ESPN saying Marseille has accepted bids from QPR, NUFC and another unamed club.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1299780&cc=5901
LEROI
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:10 AM
Comment #36Good god this is depressing. why doesn’t ash n lam stop lying n just go n sign a charlie austin or billy sharp like they want to, low fee n low wage special style for us from now on I’m afraid.
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:10 AM
Comment #37Morning Dr.
IrishMagpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:11 AM
Comment #38What a load of crap.
Refusing to pay a seriously out of form, untested player that kind I money does not show lack of ambition. I wouldn’t like to see us get into a bidding war on wages with any clubs willing to pay that.
FloridaToon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:11 AM
Comment #39More news from ESPN:
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has provided a touch of magic in his side’s fight for survival, snatching French duo Loic Remy and Yann M’Vila. Rumours filtered through late on Monday that Remy had turned down an offer from Newcastle to move to Loftus Road and the Sun claims it is now a done deal, with Rangers securing the Marseille striker for £8 million. The club then continued their spending spree by signing Rennes’ midfielder M’Vila and it is believed the duo will be available for QPR’s trip to West Ham on Saturday.
toonarmydownsouth
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Comment #40Who said he was due on tyneside?Only sky n the papers the same ppl now saying the same about QPR
We met him in france if he was coming here for a medical why would we fly him to london?
We’ve spoken to him in france made him an offer there’s no rule that says he cant talk to other clubs
The boy is clearly just listening to all his offers and why not he’s not an NUFC fan
The same media sources that reported he was in newcastle are now saying he was never in newcastle
Reckon there so much bull being typed no one knows what the situation is