Even though Mike Ashley is still at the club – and that’s a bone of contention for many fans – this summer’s transfer window could well turn out to be the best one we have had in a long time, and certainly the best we have had under Mike Ashley.
Mike Ashley – deserves at least some credit
The two best windows we have had so far under the Londoner was in the summer of 2011, when we got the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Davide Santon through the door.
And then 18 months ago, Mike Ashley showed he was simply scared stiff (weren’t we all?) in case Newcastle were relegated, and after our terrible 2-1 defeat at home by Reading, the owner seemed to take control, and in the following week we saw Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara, Moussa Sissoko and Yohan Gouffran all come through the door, and they joined Mathieu Debuchy – who had been signed earlier in the month.
And by the time this window closes, we will probably have only Moussa and Yoan still at the club – and there’s a hope there that Moussa will still be with us, although we think the French International will have been impressed with the signings we’ve already made.
It’s sometimes difficult to give owner Mike Ashley any credit at all at the club, given the many mistakes – by his own admission – he has made in the seven years he has owned Newcastle United.
But after two mediocre seasons, and two transfer windows where the incompetent Joe Kinnear could only get two strikers in on loan, its refreshing and even uplifting that Newcastle have already signed six new (good) players this summer.
And we give most credit for that to our new Managing Director Lee Charnley – a man who has garnered a reputation at the club for getting the job done – and we are starting to understand why that’s the case.
And while some will (always) want to pot a negative twist on anything that Mike Ashley does at Newcastle, this summer has been great so far, although we still need three or four players to fill the striker, center-back and midfield play-maker positions.
If Lee Charnley can continue to lead the charge and get those players into the club in the next six weeks, this has to be the best transfer window we’ve had in the last 10 years.
Lets face it, Newcastle fans haven’t had too much to celebrate over the last two years – so we can at least enjoy this transfer window – and maybe even start dreaming again, although that could be dangerous. 😀
But let’s not put any artificial negativity on what Newcastle have achieved so far this summer, the club have done great – and that’s a fact not an opinion.
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16 comments so far
G
Jul 21, 2014 at 3:47 PM
Comment #1The second we signed the young Spaniard we had the best transfer window in years. First permanent signing in 2 years.
jazzyp
Jul 21, 2014 at 3:51 PM
Comment #2Will judge at the end of the window and not before.
Personally think another 3 quality additions to the club will put us in good shape for the new season and at least give us hope for the upcoming campaign
Thump
Jul 21, 2014 at 3:59 PM
Comment #3As much as I like seeing players brought in, I’m still a bit uncomfortable that we’re only spending the Cabaye and Debuchy money. That’s running low now, and we’re still needing another forward and probably a CB.
beermonkey
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:01 PM
Comment #4jazzy
afternoon haw are we today
with comments being made were still in the hunt for players I am more optimistic
some1 mentioned the acon which is in jan makes colback a more useful signing
and I can see a striker coming in fo when cisse is gone
I forgot about that tourney dunno why they don’t move it to the summer
JDdubai
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:02 PM
Comment #5This is the biggest frustration with Ashley’s regime for me.
2 or 3 times in the last few years we have been on the verge of having a serious team that could compete with the top 6 on a regular basis and only 1 or 2 quality additions would have pushed us on.
Each time so far not only have we not added but we have lost players so it starts again…build a team to be so close to challenging for Europe and back down we go again.
Belfast
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:02 PM
Comment #6And we give most credit for that to our new Managing Director Lee Charnley – a man who has garnered a reputation at the club for getting the job done
It’s a pity Charnley couldn’t get the job done in previous windows when he had his head up Llambias, and Kinnears ass.
Lets see how he does when there’s no money in the kitty from player sales.
santonthenewmaldini
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:05 PM
Comment #7Say Pardew drops Tiote for Bigi and we get beat and the lad has a shocker WHAT THEN!?!?!?!?
Our Toon
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:06 PM
Comment #8Repost
Macas
I’m blaming everyone in this regime for the lack of care when it comes to developing young talent, the biggest culprit being the owner as he employs tools that achieve nothing!!
As for pards and HBA which for some reason you want to keep going back to…Yeah he did really well with HBA mate you are spot on, he stumbled upon a formation which was so successful he then changed it for the following season, his daft selection of HBA got him injured in a pointless game against Maritimo and then he bought him back on a plastic pitch in Russia….aye you got that spot on mate!!
Our Toon
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:08 PM
Comment #9Charnley is just a face, MA is still the man making the decisions!! We haven’t improved compared to last season so we haven’t had a good window yet, still need minimum 3 players
jazzyp
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:11 PM
Comment #10Beermonkey
Good mate cheers……..You ??
We have coped in the past mate Re the Acon cup. So I don’t see it as a problem now.
I understand fans banging on about Ashley has only spent the Cabs and Debuchy money as of yet and we have only replaced what we have sold, and is a valid argument. But as I have said I believe we will bring in more players to strengthen us further for the new season as we still desperately need them.
I think we need another forward mate whether Cisse is here or not. I hope Cisse finds his scoring boots again but am not hopeful Beer are you ??
jazzyp
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:12 PM
Comment #11Santon
We drop Bigi for Colback lol
beermonkey
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:22 PM
Comment #12jazzy
I think the cash spent is irrelevant as long as were buying the right players which we seem to have done
well I am happy so far
people love to go on about the cash but while we do have a good profit this season, £20 mill (I think that was the fee mentioned) will be earmarked to the training ground improvements I know we have had to put in new lights, as a self sufficient club these things have to come out of profits made
there is still more than enough for grenier and a striker
you see some silly figures bounced around on here its like people don’t understand that the club has to pay its bills
ToonMatt
Jul 21, 2014 at 4:44 PM
Comment #13I still want him to sell up and go, we will never compete for silverware under him and the only reason he signs players is to sell them on for a profit, I want an ambitious owner who can take the club forward we are going backwards at the minute.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jul 21, 2014 at 5:07 PM
Comment #14Where are the TWO Strikers we need?
tynesidetommo
Jul 21, 2014 at 7:22 PM
Comment #15Well said Ed now go but a wall cos I suspect few are listening
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Jul 21, 2014 at 11:52 PM
Comment #16Hate to piss on every ones cornflakes but. Mbiwa one of top prospects in france.. Ben arfa possibly our most gifted player in years.. Sissoko.. Ruined. No attempt to keep Remy.. Pard’s has ruined better than we’ve signed still need top striker n 2 proper centre halves.