Newcastle have certainly been given a black eye on the Loic Remy deal, as Harry Redknapp has explained how QPR went from no hopers on the striker 10 days ago, to snatching him from under the noses of Newcastle on Monday night.
Loic Remy – chose QPR over Newcastle – and got the big money
And Redknapp says he didn’t think he could sign the Newcastle target, but that QPR owner Tony Fernandez moved in personally and persuaded the French International to join the bottom placed club.
This is what Harry said last night, after QPR beat West Brom 1-0 in the FA Cup 3rd round replay:
“The medical is all done. It has all been sorted now.” “I didn’t think we’d get him. I went to see him at Marseilles last week and he wasn’t keen.”
“But the Chairman worked ever so hard. He wouldn’t give up and the boy decided to come.” “Remy’s quick, a French international, his movement is excellent and he has the potential to be a real star in the Premier League.”
This situation doesn’t show Newcastle in a good light, and certainly we need to show more drive and ambition in the last 15 days of this transfer window, if we are to get some of our targets across the line.
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57 comments so far
the1willy
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Comment #1Perhaps we can pay Fernandez to give DL a few lessons in negotiating…
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Comment #2I still think Harry knew what he was up…when he gave that little piece about Remy not even wanting to speak with him.
But obviously QPR got the backing the needed. Interesting how that pans out for them.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Comment #3Just waiting for the ones who know best to start calling Shearer a mercenary for demanding top wages and if that optomism valley is still awash with lush vegetation and arable crops.
Transfer Sage
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Comment #4Well QPr do have a super rich part owner behind fernandez…could rival city and chelsea….we’ll see what happens in the future…maybe thats why remy went there.
Geordie in Africa
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Comment #5The trouble that Ba has caused.
We would have persuaded Remy to come if we were in the top seven, which is where we would have been if we had not been pandering to Ba and playing him in the number 9 position to make him look good, all we did was help him get the move he always wanted. Pardew has really fukced up this season, and Ba made a fool of him. He should have let him go in the summer or not played him at all while he was causing trouble by his demands. Unbelievable.
Instead, Remy goes to QPR for the cash as there is no footballing difference between us and them at the moment, and we should not really blame him – we need to look at why he went, not call him an arse for going. Now Coloccini wants out (mentioning his wife, but it’s not too long ago that he fell out with Pardew for the shit system we were playing), Ben Arfa has mentioned a move and apparently Milan are going to have a go for Santon. And we don’t have a hope of getting players to come who are in the £10 million bracket and who are interested in winning things. When you are down at the bottom, it’s mercenaries only.
We got £5 million net for Ba but in return we are ten places below where we should be, which is £8 million in prize money at £800,000 per place. And we will now have to pay over the odds for players to persaude them to come. This means that if we do get another transfer this month, it is likely to cost £10,000 a week more in wages than it would have cost this time last year – a total of £2 million over four years.
Then there is the lost TV revenue as nobody around the world wants to watch this shit, and a costly lack of progress in the two domestic cups. A top eight finish is generally not unachievable, but it may be three or four seasons before we are back there, meaning more lost revenue from the lower league placings and a continued reduction in TV money. We had a nice system last year and everyone was happy, except for one over-rated wanker. (I see he had to be subbed again the other day for Chelsea after not having a single chance playing up front for one of the most attacking teams in the country).
The total cost of dealing with Ba this year will likely be in the region of £15 million when all of the lost earnings are considered. I have moaned all season about the system which we were forced to adopt to make him look good. He should have been kicked out on a free in the summer, £5 million does not come close to covering the damage caused.
All the top managers in the world want to come and manage in the premiership and we have Pardew – maybe Ferguson meant, he didn’t manage a small minded club in the north east?
cyprus
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Comment #6Well Shearer said it all. You must pay the going rate. He loves NUFC and all that, but the 15 mil transfer record helped a bit as well. Our policy will be good when they all follow it. For now, it’s not working. I say, lose 7-8 deadwood players (a couple are even being fielded), take the risk of a smaller squad (some in current one will never play anyway), and settle the wages of current superstars and two new signings. Or else, we’ll be beaten out by big clubs like QPR.
yorkymag
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Comment #7This is complete nonsense any fool can pay a pound for a fifty pence piece
Move on ,the club were right to make an excellent offer and if madness prevails right to opt out
Let’s stop talking about it and move on
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Comment #8http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/ac-milan-want-newcastle-pair-transfer-rumours-january-16-1-5318274
I was talking to an AC Milan fan about their interest in Santon. He said alot of other fans think Davide is still too raw for what they need, but he would be an excellent project for them.
Transfer Sage
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Comment #9Jail
It’s difficult for me…..I like the idea of spending within our means, not paying sill wages etc
but at the same time I want us to be competing to get some top players, obviously not the messi’s and ronaldo’s but some high quality players.
It’s difficult to break into the top 4 without spending well….only team to recently break into the top 4 well is man city…and it cost them 400mil.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #10Repost:
Norcal…I have seen Newcastle the past 20 years (almost) spend what would mean we are moving forward just to see us move backwards…
…these sayings needs to be taken with a grain of salt; the same goes for the saying ‘you need to spend money to make money’. It’s all well and good but it’s not about the amount you spend but the way you spend it.
An investment can soon end up just being consumption and then there won’t be any profit in the long run.
We have to make clever signings that works within our means. We didn’t capitalize on last season which I think was a mistake (others might think differently and in the end it’s not our call) – it was an opportunity to invest.
I am afraid that this January will see you consume instead which was what MA didn’t want to do in the first place.
Our main problem the way I see it is that we move too slowly and nervously in the transfer marked; and we are clearly not doing our job between the transfer windows (besides Carr). I don’t mind our wage cap or that fact that we don’t fall for the inclination that we won’t pay the going rate – what is the going rate anyway? Is Remy’s going rate £83k a week just because QPR are willingly to pay that?
alex84
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Comment #11If we want international class then we need to pay the going rate! not go for players who are injured or who baggage so there club is wanting rid of them, Im sorry but MA has no ambition to be a top 6 club, the proof is in the pudding when every player who leaves says the same thing, and now players who are still here have questioned it…I don’t want players like we had in the past but if we showed our players and potential that we mean business on the PITCH on not just the accounts we could go far! we have everything in place.
Transfer Sage
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #12yorky
well said….like it or not we need to move on now.
Lets hope the board act quickly and move on to the next target and get it tied up ASAP.
cyprus
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Comment #13Jesper,
have you been involved in business? The answer to your last question is a clear yes, mate.
Sawbuck
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Comment #14Even Blackbeard knew you’ve got to keep your crew in good shape, with morale, discipline and plenty of conquests.
But Ashley and Llambias act as though they still run an after hours backroom at Llambias’ casino.
Why is it they cant get it that you cant run a football club like a casino?
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #15jesper
I know and I’m aware of our marquee signing history pre-relegation, but many of our transfer market decisions during those years were questionable IMO.
For one, we now have Graham Carr who has found us wonderful talent on a budget, yet still hasn’t been fully backed by the board, which is why deals died over ~1m euros for players we actually NEEDED.
I’ll concede spending is not the be/end all (i’ve been saying it since summer) and neither is stonewalling our sellers in negotiations with “no-budge” policies. The answer is somewhere in the middle.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Comment #16Cyprus…what was my last Q? 🙂
yorkymag
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #17Let’s be clear qpr did not pay the going rate
They paid over the odds
Why
They are desperate
To stay in the league they have to get the same number of points in the second half that Liverpool got in the first half of the season
A very tough ask and if they do it they will deserve to stay in the premier league
If they don’t they are in one hell of a mess
I for one don’t wnt newcastle in that position
cyprus
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Comment #18Jesper,
the one right after your second to last.
Transfer Sage
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Comment #19I dont think 83k is the going rate for remy…I think that its well too much…50-60k maybe.
The guy has a decent record in france, not great at international level and hasn’t scored a goal in england….therefore paying him 80k+ a week to come here is too much.
Transfer Sage
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #20yorky
exactly….we offered Remy the wage which reflected how important he has to us.
QPR are desperate…therefore remy is worth more to them as they need a striker who will score goals
don’t get me wrong, we are desperate for some quality….but not as desperate as QPR
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Comment #21Cyprus…is it about the going rate?
…literally you’re right I guess, but the since the term is thrown around carelessly these days about players who haven’t been sold yet it looses its meaning.
That said, I don’t believe in the case of Remy that £83k qualifies as the going rate, but just shows you that money talks!
To quote Yorkmag: ‘any fool can pay a pound for a fifty pence piece’
richyg01
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #22It has nowt to do with negotiating.
Newcastle had negotiated a deal with him, but QPR offered him more money, and a Demba Ba style clause in his contract should they go down.
Its a no risk move for Remy, all it will do is allow him to put himself in the shop window for other EPL clubs if he is any good.
We have had too many players come here for the money, who do not care about the team, or even care if they are on the pitch, as they still get their pay cheque every week.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #23Cyprus…are you pulling my leg? 😉
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #24Nobody wanted Remy for 80k+, even QPR fans…lol.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #25Norcal…sensible post there mate 😉
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #26richy
we could counter, tout the establishment of a French base here in Newcastle and push them to convince Remy like Cabaye did with Debuchy. Even if it meant offering 65k/week. It’s called leverage.
Not as if our backup targets are clear chances anyway.
Toon_Tom
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #27Ive just seen Balotelli talking to “proud” in Greggs on Northumberland Street!!!
Done Deal
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Comment #28Does anybody use an android smartphone or tablet when they use the blog?
…have you witnessed the blog’s layout change last night to worse?
~Anita One Bites the Dust~
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Comment #29“Fernandes Personally persuaded Remy to Join QPR” –
Translation:
Fernades flashed the cash.
Ketsbaia9
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Comment #30We’re now going after Bafetimbi Gomis.
liam1985nufc
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Comment #31I think £83k p/w is excessive. You are only talking (or should be) about the top 4 clubs in the PL who should be able to afford these type of wages. Unfortunately that is no longer the case.
Something needs to be done to curb the wages being spent, and not just in the PL. I personally don’t think UEFA will have the balls to ban the likes of Chelsea, Man City, Anzhi etc. It’s teams like these who are driving wages up to such an extent that it will cause substantial damage to the game itself.
Whilst I don’t always agree with some of the tactics employed by our board, the wage model we have in place SHOULD (and i stress should) be still enough to compete with the majority of PL sides. However, it is of the utmost urgency that we get players in, otherwise I fear we may not recover from a second relegation.
Keeping the faith, although I may have a different judgment come Feburary 1….
cyprus
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Comment #32When you find a bargain it’s a great feeling. But, most times, you pay for what you get. Our bargain approach can work in the short term. ‘Dodgy knees’, ‘bad boy image’ tags can get you the player, but eventually if they’re good they move on and then you have to do it all over again. A tough prospect and against the odds.
Toon_Tom
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Comment #33Norcal @25 …
Backup Targets, do you know something we dont?
Do you mean that we have other players in mind if our initial choice fails to fall over our line??? 😉
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Comment #34jesper
thanks. like ideal transfer policy, my posts are more moderate – somewhere in between logic and pure emotion, lol.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Comment #35I would like for us to go for Diego Fabbrini !
manxpie
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #36Willy1 how is wat qpr did classed as negotiating?
They’ve give him everything he want’s and at the same time if they’re relegated they’ve spunked 15 million for absolutely nothing!
I’d call that madness
cyprus
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #37Liam,
You said ‘keeping the faith’ with a shaky voice 🙂
89Norcal
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #38Toon_Tom
Yes! We really are showing ambition if you can believe it..lol. Aubameyang doesn’t look promising, Gourcoff is a little underwhelming (but who knows).
And would you believe it….Kets is talking sense!
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/01/16/newcastle-switch-attention-to-lyons-bafetimbi-gomis-following-loic-remy-snub/77209/?
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #39Norcal…and that is always dangerous territory for us NUFC fans who wear our heart on the sleeve 😉 lol
…prefer it when the head prevails (but the heart has to be in it as well) So keep it up 🙂
Pardews Parsnip Bonce
Jan 16, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #40@mermaidman the new mobile site is terrible. so much so im on desktop site on my phone