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.
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215 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Comment #41Although i will not be surprised to find out Ashley and Llambias paid OM 50 K to say we put in a bid.
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Comment #42This no-budge mentality you are all touting is exactly why we were so worthless in last summer’s transfer window.
Sir Braveheart
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Comment #43Agreed with the others on here. Is Remy worth breaking the wage structure for? Is he worth 85k a week? Id say no way. I actually agree with the clubs policy of a mid level wage such as 20-30k a week and making it incentive based, then increasing it once they’ve proved their worth and committment to the club, like with Colo.
If Remys followed the money then I would hardly say its the clubs fault. If a guys selling a car and you offer him the market value of 5k and he then changes his mind and says someone else has offered him 10k you dont match it if its well over what its really worth.
davybtoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Comment #44Sinner – n they all thought not bcoz of us but bcoz remy had told them he was signing for us
johnboy
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Comment #45I’m as hacked off about this as many others but some people really need to get a grip.
One minute people are praising the way the club is run financially, quoting profit and loss accounts and balance sheets and comparing them to other premier league clubs, then when we don’t offer what I think is a ridiculous wage to a player everyone goes mental saying it lacks ambition etc.
you can’t have it both ways and I for one will be glad if it turns out the club just walked away after he tried to play us of agains QPR. He will find out very quickly that he has made a mistake and we just need to hope we have a plan b and act on it straight away.
bazrazmataz
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Comment #46I’m glad we are not offering these stupid wages like QPR only regular champ league clubs can afford these figures. QPR are a recipe for disaster wait till they get relegated and their rich owner gets board.
WesJameson
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Comment #47http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4744300/Lic-Remy-and-Yann-MVila-in-15m-QPR-deal.html
What the F@#$ is the point anymore!!!!
Joke of a management team, cursed we are….no team goes through this FFS!!!
davybtoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Comment #48I fail to see how this is ashlys fault I agree u gonna break your wage structure for a player that’s hardly played all season, remy can get stuffed if he wants to pick money over us get us pea, erding or goufran instead he’ll get graham who I kno will die for the shirt
stretchintoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:16 AM
Comment #49if @ 26 years old some1 said to me ‘come & work for me son,same job as your doing now but i’ll double your wages!’i’d be off like a robbers dog.
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:16 AM
Comment #50This isn’t our fault or Ashley’s or Pardews, and believe it or not, it’s not actually mike williamsons faulted either!
Does anybody want us paying this guy 90 grand a week? Make him the top earner at the club?
Teams like qpr are destroying football, the way they behave,
But i don’t think you can blame anyone on our side for this. Move onto the next target quickly please.
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:16 AM
Comment #51WesJameson
Like I said, a masterful display by Redknapp. Had us but the sack the whole time.
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:18 AM
Comment #52NOT Willo’s fault? How on earth could you say it wasnt??? 🙂
bills-son
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:19 AM
Comment #53I said on here a few days ago that clubs, and especially those fighting relegation, get desperate in the Jan window and you cant blame players for hanging in to see if one is so desperste they’ll pay you silly money. And then along came QPR.
Ed is talking nonsense saying it shows a lack of ambition by Ashley. It actually shows a total lack of financial sense by QPR. Remy didn’t even want to talk to them until they doubled his money but seeing as they have a team of nobodys on £60K-£90K a week Remy’s wages won’t upset many of them.
This whole wages thing sickens me about football now. One the one hand I dont begrudge anybody trying to get as much money as they can in their employment. But it is making a mockery of the fans who are seeing their passion and loyalty to their clubs counting for sweet fa when cheque books come waving.
QPR spent big money in the summer and gave players ridiculous wages and where has it got them? How many of their players would we want other than possibly Tarabt? They probably have five or six Xisco’s in their squad ffs.
Remy is a risk, he is a shadow of the player he was two years ago that why his value has more than halved. NUFC are right not to break their wages policy and upset the whole squad just to match the financial lunacy at QPR.
One thing is for certain. Remy wont be as proud to pull on their shirt as he would have done ours. Money and nothing else is all that matters to 99% of players.
89Norcal
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:20 AM
Comment #54Posted 40min ago:
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/national/sport/10161418.Remy_considering_options___Anigo/
davybtoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:21 AM
Comment #55Not just saying this bcoz he’s picked qpr but remy has been awful for 2 seasons nearly
Sir Braveheart
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:21 AM
Comment #56@Wes Jameson
If its in the Sun it has to be true right?
Since he’s not had a medical at either club Id say all bets are still off right now.
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:22 AM
Comment #57DO YOU STILL WANT REMY? I DON’T
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:22 AM
Comment #5889 – yeah you’re right. I’ve thought about it again and, it’s all willos fault!
Santon03
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:22 AM
Comment #59I’m not expecting loyalty these days, but there are still things like ethics. When you have agreement or promise with someone, you are expected to fulfil it even if it’s not benefiting you or there are better things. It means the words that come out of your mouth does mean something.
davybtoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:24 AM
Comment #60I hope remy changes his mind n we tell him to f**k off
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:25 AM
Comment #61Conaldo,
Do you know if Scharner will be interested? or is he off to Qatar
Colo-Sus
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:26 AM
Comment #62ED; I’m sorry but this article is complete toss!
QPR are backed by far more affluent owners than us and are acting irresponsibly in much the same way shepherd and hall did at nufc. I’m proud of nufc for stoking to our policy. Offering remy large wages would unsettle the group we have with players like Cabaye etc wondering why they didn’t get that kind of package.
You all need to stop crying about a player who has no attachment to nufc, and has gone where the money is.
If showing ambition means paying stupid wages and bending over every time an agent etc says so….. Then I like our lack of “ambition”
We want players who see the name Newcstle United and think, that’s the club for me and come here hungry to play and prove themselves.
If remy ends up coming then great as he’s done it for right reasons. If he goes to QPR, then it’s not a lack if ambition by newcatle that worries me…I’d be relieved we have dodged a bullet.
There’s no use being held to ransom. Sissoko is obviously a target and if we go for say Aubameyabg or gamiero etc I won’t complain
Stuff him
HWTL
Santon03
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:26 AM
Comment #63Indian
We don’t know if this is true, it could be journo trying to sell stories.
I don’t know what to believe anymore lately with so many stories and rumours out there.
TorqToon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Comment #64Done a bit of digging lads and the news circulating France and Marseilles specifically is the QPR done deal news that the English rags are reporting are premature. It probably will happen the way it’s been published but surely it’s more evidence to suggest that the witch hunt last night against Mr Tuff and Proud was very much out of order.
I don’t know who proud is and how he gets his information – but there’s not much any one can do if a player makes a complete turn and follows money, just think it was uncalled for really. However, as soon as the JB tweet was published, the blog was full of brand new bloggers who were probably waiting in the wings ready to pounce and troll our great blog.
Ed, you are a top man and do a fantastic job – just don’t add to the chaos that our club is already in! 🙂
WesJameson
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Comment #65This is why people like Roger rabbit at Liverpoo is 100% correct….get the English talent through, although almost always not as technically gifted as many other nations…but they have one thing more than any other….LOYALTY, and a burning desire to play for THEIR CLUB!!!
Lastly F@#$ you Arry you steak faced TW@T, i F@#$ing hate the air you breath…..BUT i can’t deny, would be as happy as pig in sh!te if he were our manager FFS
AAARRRGGGG, why are the footy Gods doing this to us, someone mentioned the other day, jokingly that we were built on an Indian burial ground, i’m starting to believe that might be true
stretchintoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Comment #66@bills-son,spot on mate
MacToon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Comment #67No worries, still 16 days to bail us out. Will Ashley be the messiah come Feb 1st or a very naughty boy?
Santon03
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:28 AM
Comment #68Indian
the only person who actually said something about this is Barton. I’m sorry I don’t believe anything that come out from his mouth, I don’t even want to hear anything from him.
Dubaigeordie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:28 AM
Comment #69This is becoming a joke now when is Ashley going to realise that he needs to spend money to make money.
If he actually invested in the club and spent quite a bit now and brought in a few more players in summer, we will win more which, means we will finish higher therefore he will get more money!
This whole non stop issue of bloody wages is starting to seriously hurt the club, we might as well start looking at championship players if we are not willing to spend big money to bring in substantial first team players.
TorqToon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Comment #70And good morning to you, Indian. 🙂
Szarka
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Comment #71So we give 40k for our top target? When the top clubs give 80k for their starters?
How do we wanna compete in the PL if we act as a small club.
If we want good players, we have to pay more, or develop them. Well I see our youngsters for lik 4 years, and not even one became a regular starter, a PL class. So we lost out on building in from our youth squad, so we must buy and keep our best. And u cant do that with half the wages that even medium clubs can give.
If we go on with strickt policy, we can say byebye to Ben Arfa, or later to Cissé, Krul. Its not about plus 10k, its about double wages.
And as we give up everything for PL , we wont play in Europe for 2 years. Now that can be topped bye 10 clubs in England, and maybe even more if we only talk about money.
If we keep this style we will be a relegation fighter club.
Dont care about FIFA Financial Fair Play, they just talk, but only hit smaller clubs, not the big guns.
radja in Indonesia
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Comment #72Dont buy remy, i dont like him now
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Comment #73From what i have read Tony Fernandes is not that rich.
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #74The Google Fact™ ?@thegooglefact
Religious sites are more likely to harm your computer with viruses than porn sites
No wonder iam on them more often than any other
iggystinger
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #75What a complete and utter joke,like everyone else said i think weve dodged a bullit but to say ur going to sign for nufc and then just totally turn ur back is nothin more than stickin two fingers upto us,who do we try and sign now ?
WesJameson
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #76@ Sir Braveheart // Jan 15, 2013 at 7:21 AM
Not at all mate….but the writing is on the wall….and for everyone saying, go get PEA….he and the club have stated that he WILL NOT be leaving in Jan, if even next season
Indian Magpie
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Comment #77Santon,
That’s why i said IF
Billythefish
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Comment #78I totally agree with the club not paying stupid wages for mercenaries, but the downside is we are restricted to which players we can buy.
We can buy potential or players who have fallen by the wayside at their clubs because our wages dictate what we get. Once the potential is fulfilled at NUFC they move to a bigger club who pay big wages. Under Ashley we will always be in this situation. The ambition of this man is obvious, there is no ambition.
davybtoon
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:36 AM
Comment #79I didn’t even arrive in Newcastle to look at our facilities mug, all after cabaye convinced him n he told cabs n debuchy he was joining
Ppl really are crazy if they think we can afford 90k aweek wages, if it was 60k I’ve no doubt we will of matched it we offered ba 70k to stay, so why would we offer remy 90k but not ba, think forget bcoz Shepard was paying wages of 90k Is we were in the crap need regular champs league n huge sponsorships to pay this n we hav neither
masterp1983
Jan 15, 2013 at 7:37 AM
Comment #80Well I’d defo put in a 7m offer for Darren bent now. Villa want rid and he is proven and could save us… Thoughts people???