There’s a report in the Chronicle today that it’s their understanding that Steve McClaren is hoping to make our first signing in the transfer market in the next two weeks, and that Steve hopes to have a player in before the first pre-season game at Gateshead.
The first friendly at the International Stadium on Friday 10th July, just before the lads fly out to the US for their three game tour starting at Milwaukee against Club Atlas at the Miller Park on Tuesday, 14th July.
Steve McClaren – still hasn’t got coaching team in place
Here is Newcastle’s pre-season schedule in full.
If that’s true then there is quite a disconnect between what the fans are expecting and what the club is doing in the transfer market at the moment.
The Magpies are reported to be close to signing both Bas Dost of Wolfsburg and Charlie Austin of QPR, but we still have some work to do to get any of those players through the door.
We reported yesterday that Dost’s coach at the German club – Dieter Hecking – advised him not to move to Newcastle:
“Why does Bas want to go there?” “He can play in the next season’s Champions League with us.”
“”He will not be able to do that next season at Newcastle nor probably in the following season at Newcastle.”
“We don’t want to let any of our players go.”
And news in the Express late last night that Newcastle are now in the lead to sign Charlie Austin is difficult to believe.
But after losing nine of our last eleven games in the league under John Carver, that would suggest Newcastle need to strengthen the squad big time this summer, and we’ve been told money is available.
Just how much money is available has been reported to be anywhere between £25M and £60M – so take your choice.
Steve McClaren still has to announce his coaching staff, with time passing by and just one week to go before the players start reporting back from their summer break.
Newcastle need to show more urgency in their efforts to get both players and coaches into the club – it’s not like we finished in the top six in the Premier League last season.
In fact we finished in the bottom six.
Comments welcome.
216 comments so far
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:11 AM
Comment #81Honestly, he will never concede any point that has the slightest hint that he may be wrong. Ashleys defender. Should change his name to “Lackey and Brown nose”
hibbit
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #821* jib / jeff / jane = MUTLI WUM
jayphoto
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #83Hard to judge a scout as we have no knowledge on how far down the scouts list the club signs! Also, at Newcastle, we rarely use a new player in the way their previous club used them. It’s hard to judge a scout when the manager doesn’t have a clue!
What I would say about Carr is he doesn’t seem to sign unknowns. The only left field signingS we’ve made in 5 years who weren’t international or European level players are Gouffran, Abeid, Marveaux and Haidara. None of these have really pulled up trees yet.
Take away 2 that apparently weren’t Carr finds – Tiote – recommended by McClaren after having him at Twente.
Perez – was actually in talks with Real Madrid before we nabbed him…not well known in England per say but had Spanish u21 caps and was the best player in the Spanish 2nd league. Apparantly scouted by Pardew.
After that you have Cabaye, Sissoko, Debuchy, Remy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, HBA, Cabella – All had represented france more than once – not hard to ‘unearth gems’ if they’re already in the French national team.
Papiss Cisse – was the top scorer in Germany playing for the bottom club when we signed him!Remember fans in Germany on this blog calling for him to be signed a year before he was. Had 25+ Senegal caps previous to signing.
Janmaat – dutch international, had a good world cup when played
Anita – ajax captain, handful of dutch caps
Siem de jong – Ajax captain, dutch international.
Not saying Carr is a bad scout, if we’d signed his first choices, maybe had Lacazette and Remy etc we’d probably be flying. For me the club with amazing scouting is Swansea! They consistently seem to buy players who’s I’ve rarely heard of for very little that slot straight into their side
Pootle2118
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #84Morning folks, I hope it’s/was as bright and sunny (weather wise that is) as it is here
Jib
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Comment #85Lilo
This is part of what Charnley said in his January interview
HAS GRAHAM CARR’S ROLE CHANGED?
“On the football side we look at it as a triangle. That’s me, the head coach and Graham.
Graham’s role won’t change. In terms of this process he will be heavily involved and will support me with his knowledge, his feedback and his contacts to get some background information on the people we’re speaking to. This will support other research and feedback we have sought and will seek on our preferred candidates. It’s a joined-up process we’re in.
Clearly he will continue to be an important part of what we do in order to move forward on the field and his relationship with the head coach is something that needs to be strong.”
That sounds as close to a DoF as Kinnear ever was.
Blackley and Brownlie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Comment #86Lil
Have you ever heard of a chief scout on a 4 man board? Where we have a head coach not a manager? With the only other football guy being Bob Moncur? Did you read what John Gibson wrote? You believe the club’s statement if you like.
I would rather we had a manager not a head coach. Do you understand the difference? If so, explain it please.
Our Toon
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Comment #87Blackley
You picked up on 1 example but ignored the rest. Btw please point out where I said Carr is a great scout, I searched for it and couldn’t find it. You love to tell others not to believe everything they read…..well my advice to you is not to believe everything you see on TV….especially when MA comes on the telly to tell you lies.
As for hating MA, I don’t hate anyone, I dislike him but respect him for how he’s got to where he has.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Comment #88Our toon
Pointless. Dont waste your time. He will have it his way, no matter what you say.
Jib
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Comment #89hibbit = ITK storyteller and fantasy weaver
Blackley and Brownlie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Comment #90JIB
Exactly. It says his role hasn’t changed. He’s been de facto DoF for ages. As Gibson says, you’d have to live in a cave in Northumberland not to know this.
Lindisfarne
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:22 AM
Comment #91Blackley and Brownlie
I may suggest that anyone with an opinion that is opposite to the anti-Ashley ‘cabal’ is indeed put off entering into the discussion, but largely because of the hostility created by your contribution. You are far from being rhetorical, a better description would be a ‘stopper’ in the flow of opinion causing an eddy of disgruntlement at your lack of comprehension. Where you think you are stoically holding your own, you are largely displaying your credentials to be the Alpha male and failing.
Our Toon
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:22 AM
Comment #92YCMIU
Very true mate!!
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:23 AM
Comment #93Jib,
It sounds to me like his role is exactly what I would expect from a chief scout. Kinnear was apparently in charge of our scouting of domestic players so maybe that is why you think it is similar to him. You may remember him wanting to bring Mick Harford in to assist him in that area.
Blackley and Brownlie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:23 AM
Comment #94OurToon
The only thing I accept from Ashley is his saying “my door”. Some of you would even argue with that. The horse and cart crap was laughable so no need to advise me.
Blackley and Brownlie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:25 AM
Comment #95Lindisfarne
Better to let others be the judge. Not me or you.
martoon
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Comment #96Our Toon @76 – I’m in no way defending Ashley but at his level running a multi-national business with fingers in a lot of other pies as well he just wouldn’t have time to be consulted on every detail of every transfer – this is why he employs people – he just set the overall budgets and strategies.
Lindisfarne
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Comment #97jayphoto
Swansea also have a consistency of approach engendered by the board and adhered to regardless of who the coach is. A cheapskate approach has a limited ability of success particularly when the leading lights are quickly dispatched.
Mister Tuff
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:31 AM
Comment #98Blackley the belligerent – spot on.
Google synonyms for belligerent :-
hostile, aggressive, threatening, antagonistic, pugnacious, bellicose, truculent, confrontational, argumentative, quarrelsome, disputatious, contentious, militant, combative; quick-tempered, hot-tempered, ill-tempered, bad-tempered, irascible, captious;
informalspoiling for a fight;
informalstroppy, bolshie;
informalscrappy;
vulgar slangpissy;
rareoppugnant
Blackley the Belligerent – hahahaha.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:32 AM
Comment #99Still no news?
Lindisfarne
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:32 AM
Comment #100Blackley and Brownlie
No, I am offering my judgment in the hope that you may engage with others more amicably.
Pootle2118
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Comment #101TfL
From what I have read on the various headline pages, it seems like its more of the same. However, the Express have stated that we “tabled a bid of £14M for Austin compared with the £13.75M on offer from Southampton” Whether this is fact or just paper selling mumbo jumbo I guess it’s a case of wait and see.
Apart from that, how things going mate, you having a good day so far?
expatmag
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Comment #102Tuff
The blog idiot strikes again. My god, has there ever been a bigger fool on this blog?
Jib
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Comment #103Lilo
Do you follow Portuguese footy ?
expatmag
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:39 AM
Comment #104Lindisfarne
Dont waste your time mate. He is beyond help.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Comment #105Blackley,
What does whether I have heard of having a chief scout on a board before matter? I’ve never heard of a Head Coach being on a board either. Just more evidence to the fact that Ashley wants to run on a skeleton structure, rather than getting people in to do specific jobs.
A head coach is involved with the training and the day to day involvement with the players. He is also in charge of team selection and tactics (in most cases). A manager would have greater involvement in the functioning of the club, including the arrangement of pre season tours, transfers and non footballing matters.
Personally, I’m more than happy operating with the Head coach model, if the club was setup to operate in that way. It isn’t though, because that would mean having to employ appropriate people in the specific roles.
Still, none of that means we operate with a DoF. Just that a DoF should have been appointed years ago, rather than relying on people to fill several roles. If Carr was the DoF then we wouldn’t need McClaren to meet the players, and our transfers would have been well under way by now as that would be one of his main responsibilities. He also wouldn’t be doing much scouting, as he would just run the rule over those recommended by the scouting team, which ould funnily enough remove him from the blame for purchases, much as you are trying to do with Charnley.
I read what John Gibson wrote, seems strange that you would take a journalists word for it. We must have missed out on a lot of targets then as well in your mind.
bettyswallocks
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:40 AM
Comment #106Blackley……….. Carr has a remit to identify and assess young players with a sell on value that are likely to improve. He has been doing this for years and very few have turned into signings.
Within that remit, Charnley as the man to get Ashley value for his pound has scratched and scratted about to find players near the end of their contracts and with cheap buy out clauses.
If Carrs choices were signed on footballing ability alone then I’m sure we would have a very good squad. He is well respected in the game and also at our club, which is why he is on the board.
The finalising of deals on players is down to Charnley who is more intent on getting the greedy one pound for pound value.
S
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:41 AM
Comment #107Jib,
Not so much anymore, why? Difficult to watch over here as internet struggles with streaming more often than not.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:42 AM
Comment #108Thanks Pootle,
ah you know same shit different day 🙂
you?
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:42 AM
Comment #109Clarky is hoping a bit
https://nufcdigest.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/lee-clark-steve-mcclaren-will-have-statue-in-his-honour-if-he-wins-cup-at-newcastle/
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:43 AM
Comment #110The reason why Swanseas signings seem to fit in so well is because of the coaching and style of play
For the last 4 years we have had no style of play or if we have its one that does not suit the players
I think a lot of our players will improve dramatically under Mclaren’s coaching so much so a lot of them will look more than decent
Pootle2118
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:46 AM
Comment #111TfL
Same here mate. What do you reckon on the Express headline, mumbo jumbo or do you think it has some meat on it?
Whumpie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:47 AM
Comment #112Anyone surprised?
Of course not. Ashley did precisely what he had to in order to maximise season ticket sales and avoid the whole organisation unraveling. If he hadn’t done that interview, most of our squad would be trying to leave and nobody would want to come.
As it is, um… well, actually he failed.
The best we can hope for is more of the same; mid-table squads with the odd relegation fight, year after year, until the fans learn not to turn up.
Why, after 7 years, would we expect any different?
Jib
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:48 AM
Comment #113Lilo
There is a young Mexican , Diego Reyes plays Centre of defence for Porto . Moyes is after him.
http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/2015/06/24/la-real/el-central-preferido-reyes
However the Spanish tv pundit I was listening to , in passing said McClaren enquired about him in January.
Wondered if you knew the kid.
He’s a mexican international.
Mister Tuff
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:49 AM
Comment #114expat – morning/evening. Yes indeed Blackley the Belligerent Blockhead has reverted to type.
Let it be a warning to fellow bloggers that if you engage with him – standby for a never ending circular argument.
When you win the debate he’ll want to arrest you (citizens arrest).
Then he cries :-
“infamy infamy they’ve all got it in for me”.
What a tart.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:49 AM
Comment #115Pootle
I’m not so sure The Express is a terrible newspaper but I hope its true
Whumpie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:50 AM
Comment #116On a brighter note, a very good charity is auctioning off various goodies, including this: https://galabid.com/auction/ambition/item/34355
Get a bid in!
davetoon
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:51 AM
Comment #117some people have short memories
Blackley and Brownlie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:53 AM
Comment #118I would say that the tea boy rides on the back of Carr’s footballing credentials so Carr hasn’t got autonomy as other DoFs.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:54 AM
Comment #119Jib,
Can’t help I’m afraid. Heard the name, but can’t remember ever seeing him in action. I’ve seen some Mexico games where he may have played, but not noticeably.
Blackley and Brownlie
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:55 AM
Comment #120Tuffty
I’ll be telling your mummy about what her little golden boy’s been saying.