From what we’ve already seen of Loic Remy in a black and white shirt, it’s little surprise that he was the number one choice to replace Demba Ba in January, and we have been after this player for six years, and if he had come to Tyneside nine months ago, instead of doing a detour to that small club in London, who knows what would have happened in the second half of last season?
Loic Remy – sign him in January
But Newcastle have finally got their man, albeit on loan, but Loic seems to have fitted into the side perfectly, and the 26 year-old is already a popular player in the dressing room, and if he keeps playing like he did on Saturday then well need to sing this lad full-time in January
We looked back in our archives and the first time Loic is mentioned is in September of 2007 , six years ago this month, when it looked like we would be signing the then 20 year-old French U21 International in the following January.
Take a read of that article for a trip down memory lane, as Mike Ashley had only just bought the club.
If we do end up signing Remy, that’s six years on from when it looked like we could have signed him in January of 2008.
A young Loic Remy – circa 2007
We did a similar thing when Ben Arfa was on loan at the club for a season long loan deal thee years ago, so we should sign Loic up before other bigger clubs realize what a good player he is.
January 1st would be a good time to do that.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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195 comments so far
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:26 PM
Comment #161Ciaran
No problem. I think I’ll be giving your blog a miss too. Although it’s good to see that your articles are getting a getting a few comments…shame that they’re virtually all from you…
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Comment #162Ok…
So we’re going to beat Hull and Leeds right? Then we’ve got a real battle against Everton? 🙂
Offkey
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Comment #163TDsarf – I agree to an extent with you @157 e.g. the sporting perspective. However, if we are talking about what was right for NUFC. Those profits could have been reinvested in a player which MAY increase revenues greatly (that question of ambition again). Alternatively, just stick the profits in an interest accruing account and get a it of interest, dont use it to pay off a debt that is manageable and is not costing NUFC anything at this time………this does not seem right or justifiable if we are looking at tHe interests of NUFC and not MA
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Comment #164TDS,
While I agree with some of what you say, that post about the vote and people taking sides just cheapens it all a bit. I think many have similar views to both you and Ciaran, but I reckon very few actually would say that they 100% agree with either of you.
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Comment #165TDSarf
I engage with people who comment on my blog, which I think is a good thing. As for giving my blog a miss, I am sure I’ll survive…
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:30 PM
Comment #166Offkey
You’re being a bit silly there though. The club owes MA money which he has provided on an interest free basis. He clearly wants it back or it would have been a gift. So why would he leave it in the club’s bank account rather than taking it back and earning interest in his own?
From a football perspective, sure we all wanted at least 1 signing, in fact I’d have been delighted if we’d have signed 6 players! But someone has to look after the financial aspect so why don’t people focus a bit more on what Pardew does with what he’s got?
toonincheek
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Comment #167Ciaran is on his bike
TDS – get yer coat.
Then we can all complain about how quiet it is on this Blog!
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Comment #168Toonincheek
Was a pun designed to use the word peddle, ie in the sense of peddling my blog! Apologies if you were looking forward to me leaving! haha
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:33 PM
Comment #169Lilongwe
He just got on my t*ts a bit with his copy and paste comments that don’t actually address what other people say…
And I’m not suggesting that many people agree 100% with what I say, it would be a pretty dull blog if they did! But I think there are more people who aren’t willing to jump on the “Ashley out” bandwagon than people like Ciaran will admit. I believe the majority of the fans are unhappy with Ashley as owner but also understanding of the circumstances. That we would welcome a positive change but we’re not going to just jump up and down demanding change for the sake of change.
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:38 PM
Comment #170TDS
Back to that dessert analogy.
Yes we are not 100% desperate but we aren’t 100% comfortable either, you said it yourself we are a striker light. Therefore I feel you just pay the extra to get the player in (providing its a few 100k as reported not millions).
I don’t think that bumps the price up of all future deals. Not unless you do it on a regular basis. Man city pay fortunes for players but still get people at a reasonable price after. Sinclair for 7mil being a prime example (not needed by them but 7 is a fair price)
I’m not going to argue this point anymore as I don’t think we will completely agree on this issue. Feel free to reply though (don’t want to sound like I’m saying its my ball and I’m going home) haha
ToonMatt
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #171No chance we will be able to sign him, If he has a good season we will get muscled out by someone like Norwich, Swansea, Hull etc a club with more ambition.
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Comment #172TDS
On the actual Ashley out campaigns.
Whether Ashley goes now or in 10 years do you think it will make a difference the chance of us getting a good or bad owner after? Personally I think that whenever he leaves the odds on the quality of our next owner are even.
Offkey
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:43 PM
Comment #173TDSarf – I dont think its silly at all, whilst the interest free loan is helping NUFC in not having to service that debt. We are also losing out on profits whether that be in players or in interest. IMO whilst there is nothing legally wrong in taking the money out but it only serves one person, MA, supporting that is supporting the owner over the club and seems a bizarre position.
That money if reinvested (even in an interest accruing account) would have seen the debt go down sooner. Not taking something out immediately when it starts to make profit does not mean he has to gift it to NUFC and may be beneficial to all concered.
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:44 PM
Comment #174Sage
The point of the matter is that if we show ourselves as a fan base that are unwilling to accept mediocrity from our owner, the chances of having an owner who would run the club in the same manner as Ashley, or in a worse way than Ashley, is slim, slimmer than 50/50 anyway.
Whereas if we sit back and accept the dross that is served up to us by Ashley, prospective owners will more than likely see us as either gullible, or apathetic, and as such, if they were so inclined, could run us in that fashion in the future. A stand needs to be taken, and it needs to show that we will not accept it any further.
Mint
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:45 PM
Comment #175Will be so funny if Remy is a rapist. Not that rape is a laughing matter, but would add to the circus of NUFC
If he is convicted, ill do a photoshop job of Kinnear as a full makeup clown. Ed can use it on the banner!
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:45 PM
Comment #176TS
Ha, nice anology at the end!
I don’t think we’re too far apart really and I think we’re saying a similar thing. I do think that CL teams have extra bargaining power because Sinclair would have been desperate to join a CL team once he found out City were in for him, whereas did Gomis desperately want to join us? It didn’t sound like it. Would he put us above any team in the top 10 of a major European league? Nah. We’d be level with some of those teams but we’re not a CL team at the moment.
I’ve done plenty of negotiation in my time and if you’ve established yourself as a hard negotiator then giving in (even by a small amount) damages that reputation. So the next time you’re at the table, the opposition will say “but you paid that last time” and assume you’ll shift again. It takes several times of not shifting for people to believe that you will stick to your word. When both parties want to do a deal then there is usually a way. It sounds like the agents cut off their noses to spite their faces.
If I was buying a car and then just as I was about to buy it, they turned around and said it was an extra £500 for the mats, fuel and suchlike, I’d be inclined to walk away. Even more so if I bought cars a lot and they’d be likely to tell everyone else that they screwed me over for £500.
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Comment #177Ciaran
I disagree with that in someways. I think our actions will have neither good or bad effect on the new owner.
If we get an owner wanting to have a club and borrow to sign players and gamble the future he may do that to keep us happy short term.
You may also get a rich owner who wants to please us and use his own money like Chelsea do.
I think it’s a total lottery what you get next. Whether we wait for Ashley to leave on his own time or really push him to look for a buyer what we get next is still totally down to chance (and the same chance)
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:49 PM
Comment #178TS
I think he will leave when he gets the right offer for the club. I also think that the chance of getting the right offer is helped if the asking price comes down (i.e. the debt comes down).
I’d rather stick with what we’ve got (not great but not terrible either) until the right owner comes along. That could be in a month or it could be in 5 years.
I don’t believe that he would want to sell to just anyone, that wouldn’t help his reputation, but if we push him then he might just do that if he gets an ok offer.
I think we should be making the club more attractive to potential owners if we’re assuming that the relationship with MA is beyond help. At least that’s one of the policies of time4change, but I’m still waiting to see if they can get their group off the ground.
NEoffers.co.uk
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:50 PM
Comment #179With Saturday’s performance why not get Ben Arfa or your favorite Newcastle image on your phone.
http://neoffers.co.uk/products/personalised-iphone-or-ipod-touch-case
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:53 PM
Comment #180TDS
Fair point on paying over the odds. But sometimes it’s worth it in the long run. If we get no injures to our forwards (or only the odd game here and there) the gamble will have paid off to keep our tough reputation intact.
If we lose cisse and remy long term then it may make us struggle and be desperate to sign in January, making us spend over the odds and also damaging our tough stance that way.
To be honest it’s a total lottery with injuries and the like. I don’t mind getting only bargains, I really don’t. Just if one bargain doesn’t come off they should have lined up other options (whether permanent or loan)
Like lukaku, available on loan last day of season, I’d have been biting Chelsea’s hands off to get him on loan. Would have been perfect and cheap too (done the job for this year then get gomis on a free, if that’s the man the want)
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Comment #181Sage
I’m taking my chances with affirmative action. An active fan base trying to positively affect change in their club, while still supporting the team will surely appeal to new owners, as well as leave them thinking that we aren’t as apathetic about our club’s misfortunes as some would have you believe.
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Comment #182TDS
Personally don’t think Ashley cares about his reputation to us fans, even selling to the venkeys won’t damage his other business endeavours. I think he’ll do a deal that best suits him. (Only my opinion)
I don’t think Ashley is the anti-Christ like some but I do think having an owner who shows some ambition and doesn’t seem to do things to make his life easier (like getting rid or Barton who spoke out or houghton for the controllable pardew) would help long term
If him getting his money back makes him sell us to a good owner in 5 years I’ll take it. I’m only in my twenties so no doubt will see better and worse in my life time
mattnufc
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Comment #183@179
Spam alert, Ed.
MacToon
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:58 PM
Comment #184Jeez, tell me why I hate Mondays and a quick look at this blog explains all. Are some people getting paid per post (I think to myself) and if others were paid by brain cells would see them scraping a few coppers together.
Bills, you’re better off sticking to your old football stories imho. You think this is a competition about who is right or wrong and you miss the whole point.
Like I said yesterday and over two and a half years ago, there is absolutely no point in trying to engage you in anything about this current regime however the stuck record continues to irk.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Comment #185TS
I’m in complete agreement with you on both the gamble that the club is making and also the situation with Lukaku. In my eyes, he’s exactly the right kind of player that we needed. So why didn’t we get him? I can understand if he went to West Brom for a season because of his relationships there, but Everton?
Did we go in for him? Did Pardew/JFK want him?Surely they did?! Was he too expensive? Did he have some preference for Everton for some reason? Fair play if he did, we’re a similar sized club at the moment. Maybe Everton guaranteed him more playing time?
Who knows…I’d like to think that we were in for him but there was no serious link there. So either we weren’t or we were shot down very early on.
I know Ameobi can do a job but if either Remy or Cisse are out for more than 2 or 3 games we could have a problem with attacking options.
But then…name me a club in the PL that doesn’t have that kind of issue…Man City slated for their central defensive options on MotD, Chelsea slated for their strikers on the same show…
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Comment #186Because Ashley refused to spend the cash for a 2nd loan fee! God sake, there are none so blind as those who will not see!
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:02 PM
Comment #187TDS
Yeh most clubs outside the top 6 struggle if they lose 1 or 2. I’d just like to have seen us recycle a few more players. Obertan, raylor, Williamson, etc should have been moved on with more able players or good youngsters brought in.
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Comment #188Ciaran
I theory with some ground (we don’t like to spend much) but you dot know that for sure.
Maybe we weren’t aware, maybe Chelsea asked Everton due to playing time he’d get and they said yes. (All happened quickly and late)
Maybe coming here cisse, remy and HBA were starters and free our bad season wanted to join Everton.
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Comment #189Aulas now saying that there was no issue with the wages Newcastle were offering for Gomis, nor was there an issue with the transfer fee. It was agents who scuppered the deal. Who is telling the truth? Gomis who said wages, or Aulas who said agents?
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:06 PM
Comment #190I must admit I have never seen of heard us being interested in Lukaku!
…where is all this coming from? I s it just wishful thinking?
Transfer Sage
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Comment #191Jesper
I was just making the point he is the kind of forward we need and if Everton offered to loan him why didn’t we?
Then just speculating after why we never got him.
No rumours, just curious.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:08 PM
Comment #192TS
I think he cares about the sporting world though because his business is heavily linked to it. Leaving us to deal with a Venkys isn’t a good PR move for him in my opinion. I don’t think he cares about the reputation with the fans because he probably things that connection is already burned anyway.
As for Barton…absolute scum in my opinion and I’m very glad that he’s gone. Everything he did was for Joey Barton and not for NUFC. Sure he put a lot of effort in on the pitch and I’m grateful for that but he’s a nasty piece of work. His attitude was like Bellamy slagging off Souness live on TV but multiplied by 100.
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:08 PM
Comment #193Sage
The loan fee would have put us in the red so we couldn’t get him over the line.
Answer me this people, surely signing Gomis would have put us in the dreaded overdraft, which is the reason we didn’t sign a “marquee” striker. So were we seriously in for Gomis?
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:09 PM
Comment #194Ruddy…I don’t think Gomis really wanted to come herec that is what I think you should take from it 😉
…it was Lyon who wanted to sell him and I think both him and the agent thought if he had to come here he better get paid well!
Gomis is off to Marseille I think 🙂
Ciaran
Sep 16, 2013 at 5:09 PM
Comment #195Would have Barton back in a heartbeat.