One of the reasons Newcastle have had so few successful transfer windows under Mike Ashley is the stubbornness and frugality of the club not bidding more than they think any player is worth, and that has cost us a number of our targets.
One good example is Wilfried Bony who joined Swansea two years ago, after Newcastle though £12M was far too high a price to pay for him, but Bony was a huge success and 18 months later he joined Manchester City for £28M.
Wilfried Bony in Ivory Coast colors
We wouldn’t go above our valuation of this player
And three years ago, after we had finished in 5th place we haggled with Lille over a paltry £1.5M and failed to bring in Mathew Debuchy that summer.
In fact Newcastle brought in only Vurnon Anita when we should have been strengthening the squad in quality and numbers for the Europa League.
And in the following January when we did eventually buy Debuchy, we were already in relegation trouble and we have to believe Newcastle gave Lille what they had been asking for Debuchy the previous summer.
With Mike Ashley having a huge scare over the last 11 games of last season, when we somehow managed to lose 9 of them and 8 in a row, he now seems willing to pay out big money in this summer’s transfer market.
Mike also made the statement that he wants Newcastle to win something.
We have had no success in the transfer market so far, and we’ve said a few times that Newcastle have to drop their thrifty ways if we are to get some good players into the club this summer.
Newcastle may have to pay the full £15M asking price for two of our striker targets – QPR’s Charlie Austin and Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
But there is a worrying statement in the Chronicle today that Newcastle will stick to their budget this summer, and not get dragged into a bidding war.
That’s one of the main reasons Newcastle fail in the transfer market, and it will be the same again this summer, unless we are willing to pay out some good money for some good players.
Once reason we were almost relegated last season is that the powers that be decided to keep the money in the bank in January and we spent not a single penny, but still brought in about £10M to the coffers.
That’s even though we knew the squad was severely weakened and that almost cost us about £80M a year from the Premier League, when we were almost relegated.
That small club thinking has to go at Newcastle if we are to build a top side again, and it has to start with Newcastle being able to spend some of their big money in the transfer market.
We have allowed smaller clubs like Swansea, Southampton and West Ham become more ambitious than Newcastle over the last few years.
If we keep to our old ways, we will get the same old results – which are not good enough for Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
82 comments so far
optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:27 AM
Comment #1Ashley seems willing to spend big on the transfer market.
Eds evidence of this is….
I’ve got a while so I’ll just wait
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Comment #2Same old balderdash
Politicians use the device of citing one example to prove a false premise all the time.
I started to list the players that the club has bought and loaned under Ashley and to be frank my fingers got tired , suffice to say it’s about 4 football teams.
Barton
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Comment #3I be drawing my Pension befor we see Tubbs give the go ahead for some meaningful strengthining.
WestOzMag
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:47 AM
Comment #4Ed I give you praise for you writing the blogs but this is so monotonous now. There is no “big news” yet its the same stories floating around as per last yr. If we can get some ” over the line news” that I dnt already know I might just put the same paper down that you are reading yourself. Sorry for thr sarcastic tone
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:51 AM
Comment #5Barton you are 67 in July ?
Congrats
WLtoon
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:52 AM
Comment #6Cant believe for a minute that we will compete to bring in Austin, Mitrovic etc.
If we were serious about these players then they would be here,simple as.
Other clubs have done business before July1st so there are no excuses,though im sure the club will use that one at some point if we are left the dregs that nobody else wants.
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 9:59 AM
Comment #7I see Daniel Levy may do a Mike Ashley.
Harry Kane could be Spurs Andy Carroll.
Kane is a North London lad who could be at the peak of his value already.
A silly offer could see Levy tempted.
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:01 AM
Comment #8WLtoon
Calm down
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/9893206/premier-league-ins-and-outs-all-the-moves-in-the-summer-transfer-window
Look at this.
The slowest window ever so far.
one fine day
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:10 AM
Comment #9Stayed off the site for two weeks deliberately due to the fact nothing was happening.
Hoped to log in and find we had signed a striker ,cb and a winger … Foolish optimism .
All I find is the same stuff ala ground hog day. … Why no one wants to sign for us … We can’t compete with Swansea or saints … Or now. Bournemouth ffs. Only thing missing from two weeks ago is Blacklie wabbling on about flappy wings etc .. Where is our blog regular withe dress spence of mr cadburys parrot ?
Has he been banned ?
one fine day
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Comment #10I have given up even trying to fight auto correct now even “with “turns into a Geordie who has a champions league medal ffs
optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Comment #11Just had a look on the official NUFC page to see the latest big news.
The draw for the milk cup has been made!
one fine day
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Comment #12Opto,
Milk cup..?
Have we gone back in time.?
spitfire_
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Comment #13Jib
So because the other teams didn’t buy a lot of players, we should be okay with our lack of transfers 4 days before the start of the pre-season and 14 days before the team fly to USA? That’s fantastic logic, mate.
optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #14Ofd
At the pace we’re moving quite possibly
bobby mango
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #15This story is true but old news. We’ve all been saying this for a few years.
If last season didn’t show him it needs to change then his big talk was bollocks and we will be relegated.
Three weeks and not one signing is very worrying and infuriating.
lesh
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #16It’s not only fees that are hampering progress, poor wages combined with a target-related bonus (trb) won’t help get decent players in.
Maybe they should try a decent wage plus trb or a decent wage plus an appearance bonus based on starts and substitutions?
optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Comment #17Ofd
Latest NUFC news, I can barley contain the excitement
http://mobile.nufc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=4822640
mickalfas
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #18Are we going to be able to declare the 25 players ?
And still no backroom staff !
dcdick
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #19You can’t win in this transfer market the way it is nowadays.
I wouldn’t pay more than I thought a player was “worth” when buying his services………………………….. BUT the big problem is who sets the value for these players ?
It’s not Ashley, although he has the final say of course
Worrying time for N.U.F.C. will we “get it right” this time ?
Dick.
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #20The radio alarm clock goes off
and what is playing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylGrQVL774k
reilly
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Comment #21mybe mcclaren has to sell before he can buy.
one fine day
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #22Optimistic,
Ahh see it now thought they’d rebadge so the league cup.
As for back in time … More than happy to arrive in .. Let’s say 1993 and let’s all roll again post slug .if only doc could turn up now with his almanac and predict the rise of shite dire …
Btw first time I have been on the official site in more than two years .
It’s still as censored as ever by Pyongyang
mickalfas
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Comment #23Reilly
Probably but the only players worth anything are the ones we should be keeping
The dross we have won’t raise any meaningful transfer funds
one fine day
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Comment #24Jib
Ahh sonny n Cher. Good one
And another fine day begins I wonder if we will sign someone today…
Oh yeah … Ok. Maybe
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:38 AM
Comment #25We are being linked with yet another winger
Moussa Konate a Senegalese with FC Sion a Swiss club from the French speaking part.
He’s double quick 22 and as well as Switzerland has had seasons in Israel , Russia , and Italy
http://www.20min.ch/ro/sports/dossier/superleague/story/Christian-Constantin-veut-Dzemaili-et-Embolo–17028828?redirect=mobi&nocache=0.7483440608202281
Jib
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #26Anyone get the feeling that every time an agent is trying to move a francophone player The Toon automatically gets mentioned ?
We are becoming the default setting for any French speakers being touted.
optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #27Ofd
Only the doc can save us now 🙂
Jib
If Mclaren can’t buy before he sells we’re up the swanny.
Who’d buy our dead wood?
Even the so called stars are damsdged goods.
He’d end up with a budget of £34
Bambams
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Comment #28Ed he doesn’t want to build a strong team. I am now beginning to believe the wiser bloggers on here that all of his interview was just spin. I did genuinely believe he was going to spend some money.
The fact he is more concerned in bringing in good/great coaches tends to suggest this will get the players ‘we already have ‘ playing better so there won’t be as much a need to spend millions of his own cash !!! It’s the club’s cash….
Imo
expatmag
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Comment #29Mick
1..Krul
2..Elliott
3..Darlow
4. Janmaat
5..Taylor
6..Coloccini
7..Williamson
8..Lascelles
9..Dummett
10.Haidara
11.Ferguson
12.Obertan
13.Abeid
14 Tiote
15 Anita
16.Sissoko
17.Colback
18.Ameobi
19.Vukic
20 De Jong
21 Gouffran
22 Cisse
23 Riviere
24 Cabella
25 Riviere
Our current 25 nan squad for next season
Mister Tuff
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Comment #30Strange that Blackley has not been on -it might be that he has been banned by Ed.
Without wishing to tempt fate, and that there is nothing much to discuss on the football front, I’ve penned a small song in memory of out lost poster. It is sung to the tune of “Bye-bye Blackbird”.
Pack up all your bags and woe
From the blog you have to go
Bye-bye, Blockhead
When you insulted everyone
It was only time when you’d be gone
Bye-bye, Blockhead
When you played the game you were a hacker
And on the blog a complete knacker
Bye-bye, Blockhead
You would always argue black was white
And your posts on here were a load of sh*te
Bye-bye, Blockhead
When you left so did the WUM 2’s
All along it was really you
Bye-bye, Blockhead..
As you would say wooohooo woohoooo
Don’t cry Sy. You cannot make it up.
Wooo hooo. High Five.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Comment #31Expat
2 rivieres?? 1 is bad enough,mate 😀
mickalfas
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Comment #32Op
Are you secretly a football agent ,trying to blow their value out of all proportion
£34 really?
one fine day
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:52 AM
Comment #33Optimistic,
I firmly believe that seeing doc return and tell us the future is far more believable than any of this Cart to the horse bs.
Anyone know how the season tickets are selling ?
expatmag
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #34YCMIU
DEAR ME……LOL
who did I miss out?
expatmag
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #35Replace 2nd Riviere with Marveaux……sorry lads
mickalfas
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #36Expat
Thanks for that
Big changes required me thinks
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #37Not sure. I cant think of a senior player that isnt already there
expatmag
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:56 AM
Comment #38TUFF
Very good but you should leave it well alone. You are proving to be no better than him.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:56 AM
Comment #39Ah right. Marv. I keep forgetting he is still on the books
expatmag
Jun 27, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Comment #40Mick
Yes. I have no doubts about that plus we have a few in the last year of their contracts too.